Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Sáu Tuần 2
Thường Niên
Lạy Chúa, con đây,
con đến để làm theo ý Chúa. Trong Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa chọn và sai Mười
Hai Sứ Đồ của Chúa ra đi rao giảng
Lời Chúa Chúng con biết rằng Chúa
đã chọn chúng con theo cùng
một cách. Chúa đã gọi chúng con, Chúa đã đặt chúng con vào số Chúa chọn, và sai chúng con đi. Xin Chúa hãy cho chúng con sức mạnh để đáp ứng ơn gọi của Chúa. Chúng con muốn làm theo ý muốn của Chúa và là môn đệ
của Chua. Cho dù chúng con biết Chúa
sẽ cho chúng con sức mạnh,
đôi khi chúng con vẫn cảm
thấy sức nặng của những công việc
này, và chúng con bắt đầu
nghi ngờ. Chúng con muốn thêm hạn để cam kết và quyết định trả lời ơn gọi của và sứ mệnh của Chúa trao..
Phúc Âm cho chúng ta thấy rằng Chúa Giêsu đã chọn Mười Hai Tông Đồ, chủ yếu của ngài là để họ có thể ở với ngài. Ở với Chúa Giêsu là lý do trước tiên là để làm tông đồ. Mặc dù chữ Tông đồ theo tiếng Hy Lạp có nghĩa là người được sai đi, nhưng Phúc Âm nói rõ rằng tông đồ trước hết là cần ở với Chúa Giêsu, nghĩa là cùng sống với Ngài và theo Ngài. Tất cả chúng ta cũng cần điều này. Chúng ta cần ở sát bên cạnh với Chúa Giêsu luôn luôn. Không có lý do nào chính đáng hơn là trở thành tông đồ của Chúa hơn là được cam kết là được cùng đồng hành cùng Chúa Giêsu.
Bây giờ chúng ta đến với ý nghĩa của tiếng Hy Lạp có nghĩa là tông đồ: người được sai đi. Làm thế nào để một tông đồ của Đức Kitô vừa ở cùng với Đức Kitô vừa được sai đi? Có lẽ chúng ta có thể tìm thấy câu trả lời về lý do tại sao các tông đồ được sai đi rao giảng. Một tông đồ chỉ có thể rao giảng về Đức Kitô khi người ấy ở với Đức Kitô. Và khi thực sự rao giảng về Đức Kitô là khi chúng ta làm cho Ngài hiện diện với chúng ta và hiện diện với những người đang nghe chúng ta nói về Tin Mừng của Ngài. Thật là một thực tế tâm linh đáng kinh ngạc.
Quyền năng xua đuổi ma quỷ có thể coi chúng ta là một siêu năng lực đáng kinh ngạc. Nhưng Chúa Giêsu Christ đã liệt kê nó ở vị trí cuối cùng về lý do ngài gọi các tông đồ. Quyền năng đuổi quỷ là hệ quả của việc ở với Đực Kitô và rao giảng về Ngài. Khi chúng ta làm điều này theo ý muốn của Thiên Chúa, thì hàng ộng của Ma quỷ sẽ không còn chỗ hoạt động. Với Đớc Kitô ở bên cạnh chúng ta, ma quỷ không còn quyền năng và không thể gây ra sự dữ trong tâm hồn chúng ta, mặc dù chúng ta biết nó không ngừng ra tay để tiêu diệt chúng ta.
Lạy Chúa Giêsu, Chúa đã kêu gọi chúng con làm tông đồ của Chúa. Đó là một nhiệm vụ vượt xa sự tưởng tượng của chúng con, và nhiều khi chúng con không hiểu làm thế nào để có thể thực hiện việc đó cho tốt đẹp. Chúng con đã cố gắng suy niệm về những lý do mà Chúa đã gọi chúng con, những lý do mà Chúa đã gọi tất cả chúng con. Xin Chúa giúp chúng con luôn ở gần Chúa. Xin giúp chúng con loan truyền về Chúa cho mọi người mà chúng con gặp một cách không sợ hãi. Xin Chúa hãy giữ chúng con được vững vàng trước những cơn cám dỗ của ma quỷ.
Lạy Chúa, hôm nay nhờ ân sủng của Chúa, chúng con sẽ suy ngẫm về ơn gọi mà Chúa đã kêu gọi chúng con và tìm cách làm thế nào để con có thể sống ở gần với Chúa hơn, Rao truyên Tin Mừng về Chúa và mạnh mẽ chống lại ma quỷ trong cuộc sống của chúng con và trong cuộc sống của người khác.
Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:14–15
The Twelve Apostles were first called by Jesus and then sent to preach with authority. The authority they were given was for the purpose of driving out demons. But how did they do that? It’s interesting to note that the authority they were given over demons was, in part, associated with their commission to preach. And though there are some recorded instances in the Scriptures of the Apostles driving out demons directly by command, it should also be understood that the preaching of the Gospel with the authority of Christ has a direct effect of driving out demons.
Demons are fallen angels. But even in their fallen state, they retain the natural powers they have, such as the power of influence and suggestion. They seek to communicate with us to deceive us and draw us away from Christ. The good angels, of course, also exercise this same natural power for our good. Our guardian angels, for example, constantly seek to communicate to us the truths of God and His grace. The angelic battle for good and evil is real, and as Christians we must be aware of this reality.
One of the greatest ways to confront satan and his demons is to listen to the Truth and to proclaim it with the authority of Christ. Though the Apostles were given a special authority for their preaching, every Christian, by virtue of their Baptism and Confirmation, is entrusted with the message of the Gospel to proclaim in various ways. And with that authority, we must constantly strive to bring forth the Kingdom of God. Doing so will have a direct impact on the diminishment of the kingdom of satan.
Reflect, today, upon your duty to share the Gospel with others. Sometimes this is done by an explicit sharing of the message of Jesus Christ, and at other times the message is shared more by our actions and virtue. But every Christian is entrusted with this mission and must learn to fulfill that mission with true authority, knowing that as that authority from Christ is exercised, the Kingdom of God increases and the activity of the evil one is overcome.
My all-powerful Lord, I thank You for the grace You have given me to proclaim the truth of Your saving message to those whom I encounter every day. Help me to fulfill my mission to preach in both word and deed and to do so with the gentle yet powerful authority given me by You. I offer myself to Your service, dear Lord. Do with me as You will. Jesus, I trust in You.
Friday 2nd Week
of Ordinary Time 2025
1. The Twelve as the New Israel: Mark has just narrated the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities (Mark 2:1-3:6). Instead of embracing Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and accepting the signs of salvation, the Pharisees and religious leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. This means that the people of Israel needed new leadership, that she needed new shepherds. The number twelve is not arbitrary. It refers back to the number of the sons of Jacob, the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve sons of Jacob were representatives of Old Covenant Israel (Genesis 49:3-28). Here, Jesus gathers 12 new patriarchs to found his New Covenant people in the Church.
Friday 2nd Week
of Ordinary Time 2024
1. David’s Respect for Saul: The First Reading narrates the conflict between Saul and David. One thing that emerges is the deep respect David has for Saul as the Lord’s anointed king. Instead of killing Saul, David leaves the judgment of the wicked king to God, knowing that God will exact justice. David points out that he took pity on Saul. In a certain sense, sparing the life of Saul in the cave was a greater victory for David than his victory over Goliath. David’s victory in the case of Saul is not attained through weapons and bloodshed, but by putting his anger to death and practicing mercy. Wickedness is never the right path.
2. The Consequences of David’s Mercy: Saul is moved to tears when he learns that David spared his life. Saul now knows more than ever that his time as king is ending and that one day David will reign as king over Israel. David has shown that he will be a good king, who is capable of mercy. David is not perfect. He knows this and many times throughout his reign we will see him entrust himself to the Lord’s mercy and beg for forgiveness.
3. Jesus Appointed Twelve Apostles: In the Gospel, Jesus appointed twelve new leaders for a new Israel. The twelve are called “apostles,” a title which means “one sent out.” They are authorized to act as Jesus’ envoys and representatives. On the one hand, they are tasked with being with Jesus. On the other, they are sent out to preach and drive out demons. The Apostles have different backgrounds, sensibilities, and personalities. Everything they are, all of their talents and abilities, can be placed at the service of God’s merciful Kingdom. However, only from intimate communion with Jesus will their apostolic ministry bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. The Apostles are to proclaim the Kingdom of God not only through their words but also by their actions. The Kingdom they proclaim and extend is in the world but not of the world. Over time they will learn that they will suffer for this Kingdom and that one of its main characteristics is merciful love.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you commissioned your Apostles and gave them the power to teach and drive out demons. I ask that you empower me today to carry out the mission you have given me. I want to spread your Gospel message of love and forgiveness.
Friday 2nd Week
of Ordinary Time Opening Prayer:
Encountering Christ:
1. To Be with Him: The Gospel shows us that Jesus appointed his Twelve Apostles primarily so that they could be with him. To be with Jesus is the first reason to be an apostle. Even though the Greek word for apostle means someone who is sent, the Gospel makes it clear that the apostle, first of all, needs to be with Jesus. All of us need this. We need to be with Jesus always. There’s no better reason to be an apostle than to be committed to accompanying Jesus side by side.
Daily
Reflection
"He appointed twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons."
Calling, appointing, naming the 12 Apostles, No small moment in Christian church history. What would it have been like to be called as an Apostle? Would we have had the courage to accept Jesus' call, appointment, and mission? Do we have the courage to be disciples today?
Mark's gospel makes it clear immediately before the naming of the Apostles that Jesus has stirred serious controversy by forgiving the sins of a paralytic man, dining with tax collectors and sinners, and healing a man's withered hand on the Sabbath. The controversy has grown so strong that immediately after naming the Apostles, Jesus' own family thinks he is "out of his mind" and scribes from Jerusalem (presumably sent by official religious authorities to investigate this potentially threatening person) have concluded that Jesus is "possessed by Beelzebub" and drives out demons by the authority of the Devil. By accepting their appointment and mission to preach and drive out demons like Jesus, the Apostles will be labeled as controversial and dangerous like their leader.
What demons would Jesus be driving out today? Whom would he be healing? With whom would he be eating? About what would he be preaching? What authorities would think he was mentally ill, threatening, or evil? Would I have the courage and faith to follow such a man when he called?
Of course, Jesus is calling each of us every day. We need to discern in our lives what that call is and if we are truly willing to accept it. Jesus' call looks different in different people's lives, but I believe that one way or another it involves dining with and caring for the poor and marginalized, loving, forgiving, healing, welcoming the stranger and the migrant, and tirelessly working for peace and justice.
Jesus, help us to hear your call. Grant us the courage to accept your invitation to join you in your mission despite the potential danger and controversy.
Meditation:
What is God's call on your life? When Jesus embarked on his mission he chose twelve men for the task of preaching the kingdom of God and healing the sick in the power of that kingdom. In the choice of the twelve, we see a characteristic feature of God's work: Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals, who had no wealth or position. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power.
When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not shrug back because we think that we have little or nothing to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Do you make your life an offering to the Lord and allow him to use you as he sees fit?
"Lord Jesus, fill me with gratitude and generosity for all you have done for me. Take my life and all that I have as an offering of love for you, who are my All."
Phúc Âm cho chúng ta thấy rằng Chúa Giêsu đã chọn Mười Hai Tông Đồ, chủ yếu của ngài là để họ có thể ở với ngài. Ở với Chúa Giêsu là lý do trước tiên là để làm tông đồ. Mặc dù chữ Tông đồ theo tiếng Hy Lạp có nghĩa là người được sai đi, nhưng Phúc Âm nói rõ rằng tông đồ trước hết là cần ở với Chúa Giêsu, nghĩa là cùng sống với Ngài và theo Ngài. Tất cả chúng ta cũng cần điều này. Chúng ta cần ở sát bên cạnh với Chúa Giêsu luôn luôn. Không có lý do nào chính đáng hơn là trở thành tông đồ của Chúa hơn là được cam kết là được cùng đồng hành cùng Chúa Giêsu.
Bây giờ chúng ta đến với ý nghĩa của tiếng Hy Lạp có nghĩa là tông đồ: người được sai đi. Làm thế nào để một tông đồ của Đức Kitô vừa ở cùng với Đức Kitô vừa được sai đi? Có lẽ chúng ta có thể tìm thấy câu trả lời về lý do tại sao các tông đồ được sai đi rao giảng. Một tông đồ chỉ có thể rao giảng về Đức Kitô khi người ấy ở với Đức Kitô. Và khi thực sự rao giảng về Đức Kitô là khi chúng ta làm cho Ngài hiện diện với chúng ta và hiện diện với những người đang nghe chúng ta nói về Tin Mừng của Ngài. Thật là một thực tế tâm linh đáng kinh ngạc.
Quyền năng xua đuổi ma quỷ có thể coi chúng ta là một siêu năng lực đáng kinh ngạc. Nhưng Chúa Giêsu Christ đã liệt kê nó ở vị trí cuối cùng về lý do ngài gọi các tông đồ. Quyền năng đuổi quỷ là hệ quả của việc ở với Đực Kitô và rao giảng về Ngài. Khi chúng ta làm điều này theo ý muốn của Thiên Chúa, thì hàng ộng của Ma quỷ sẽ không còn chỗ hoạt động. Với Đớc Kitô ở bên cạnh chúng ta, ma quỷ không còn quyền năng và không thể gây ra sự dữ trong tâm hồn chúng ta, mặc dù chúng ta biết nó không ngừng ra tay để tiêu diệt chúng ta.
Lạy Chúa Giêsu, Chúa đã kêu gọi chúng con làm tông đồ của Chúa. Đó là một nhiệm vụ vượt xa sự tưởng tượng của chúng con, và nhiều khi chúng con không hiểu làm thế nào để có thể thực hiện việc đó cho tốt đẹp. Chúng con đã cố gắng suy niệm về những lý do mà Chúa đã gọi chúng con, những lý do mà Chúa đã gọi tất cả chúng con. Xin Chúa giúp chúng con luôn ở gần Chúa. Xin giúp chúng con loan truyền về Chúa cho mọi người mà chúng con gặp một cách không sợ hãi. Xin Chúa hãy giữ chúng con được vững vàng trước những cơn cám dỗ của ma quỷ.
Lạy Chúa, hôm nay nhờ ân sủng của Chúa, chúng con sẽ suy ngẫm về ơn gọi mà Chúa đã kêu gọi chúng con và tìm cách làm thế nào để con có thể sống ở gần với Chúa hơn, Rao truyên Tin Mừng về Chúa và mạnh mẽ chống lại ma quỷ trong cuộc sống của chúng con và trong cuộc sống của người khác.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:14–15
The Twelve Apostles were first called by Jesus and then sent to preach with authority. The authority they were given was for the purpose of driving out demons. But how did they do that? It’s interesting to note that the authority they were given over demons was, in part, associated with their commission to preach. And though there are some recorded instances in the Scriptures of the Apostles driving out demons directly by command, it should also be understood that the preaching of the Gospel with the authority of Christ has a direct effect of driving out demons.
Demons are fallen angels. But even in their fallen state, they retain the natural powers they have, such as the power of influence and suggestion. They seek to communicate with us to deceive us and draw us away from Christ. The good angels, of course, also exercise this same natural power for our good. Our guardian angels, for example, constantly seek to communicate to us the truths of God and His grace. The angelic battle for good and evil is real, and as Christians we must be aware of this reality.
One of the greatest ways to confront satan and his demons is to listen to the Truth and to proclaim it with the authority of Christ. Though the Apostles were given a special authority for their preaching, every Christian, by virtue of their Baptism and Confirmation, is entrusted with the message of the Gospel to proclaim in various ways. And with that authority, we must constantly strive to bring forth the Kingdom of God. Doing so will have a direct impact on the diminishment of the kingdom of satan.
Reflect, today, upon your duty to share the Gospel with others. Sometimes this is done by an explicit sharing of the message of Jesus Christ, and at other times the message is shared more by our actions and virtue. But every Christian is entrusted with this mission and must learn to fulfill that mission with true authority, knowing that as that authority from Christ is exercised, the Kingdom of God increases and the activity of the evil one is overcome.
My all-powerful Lord, I thank You for the grace You have given me to proclaim the truth of Your saving message to those whom I encounter every day. Help me to fulfill my mission to preach in both word and deed and to do so with the gentle yet powerful authority given me by You. I offer myself to Your service, dear Lord. Do with me as You will. Jesus, I trust in You.
1. The Twelve as the New Israel: Mark has just narrated the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities (Mark 2:1-3:6). Instead of embracing Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and accepting the signs of salvation, the Pharisees and religious leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. This means that the people of Israel needed new leadership, that she needed new shepherds. The number twelve is not arbitrary. It refers back to the number of the sons of Jacob, the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve sons of Jacob were representatives of Old Covenant Israel (Genesis 49:3-28). Here, Jesus gathers 12 new patriarchs to found his New Covenant people in the Church.
1. David’s Respect for Saul: The First Reading narrates the conflict between Saul and David. One thing that emerges is the deep respect David has for Saul as the Lord’s anointed king. Instead of killing Saul, David leaves the judgment of the wicked king to God, knowing that God will exact justice. David points out that he took pity on Saul. In a certain sense, sparing the life of Saul in the cave was a greater victory for David than his victory over Goliath. David’s victory in the case of Saul is not attained through weapons and bloodshed, but by putting his anger to death and practicing mercy. Wickedness is never the right path.
2. The Consequences of David’s Mercy: Saul is moved to tears when he learns that David spared his life. Saul now knows more than ever that his time as king is ending and that one day David will reign as king over Israel. David has shown that he will be a good king, who is capable of mercy. David is not perfect. He knows this and many times throughout his reign we will see him entrust himself to the Lord’s mercy and beg for forgiveness.
3. Jesus Appointed Twelve Apostles: In the Gospel, Jesus appointed twelve new leaders for a new Israel. The twelve are called “apostles,” a title which means “one sent out.” They are authorized to act as Jesus’ envoys and representatives. On the one hand, they are tasked with being with Jesus. On the other, they are sent out to preach and drive out demons. The Apostles have different backgrounds, sensibilities, and personalities. Everything they are, all of their talents and abilities, can be placed at the service of God’s merciful Kingdom. However, only from intimate communion with Jesus will their apostolic ministry bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. The Apostles are to proclaim the Kingdom of God not only through their words but also by their actions. The Kingdom they proclaim and extend is in the world but not of the world. Over time they will learn that they will suffer for this Kingdom and that one of its main characteristics is merciful love.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you commissioned your Apostles and gave them the power to teach and drive out demons. I ask that you empower me today to carry out the mission you have given me. I want to spread your Gospel message of love and forgiveness.
Encountering Christ:
1. To Be with Him: The Gospel shows us that Jesus appointed his Twelve Apostles primarily so that they could be with him. To be with Jesus is the first reason to be an apostle. Even though the Greek word for apostle means someone who is sent, the Gospel makes it clear that the apostle, first of all, needs to be with Jesus. All of us need this. We need to be with Jesus always. There’s no better reason to be an apostle than to be committed to accompanying Jesus side by side.
"He appointed twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons."
Calling, appointing, naming the 12 Apostles, No small moment in Christian church history. What would it have been like to be called as an Apostle? Would we have had the courage to accept Jesus' call, appointment, and mission? Do we have the courage to be disciples today?
Mark's gospel makes it clear immediately before the naming of the Apostles that Jesus has stirred serious controversy by forgiving the sins of a paralytic man, dining with tax collectors and sinners, and healing a man's withered hand on the Sabbath. The controversy has grown so strong that immediately after naming the Apostles, Jesus' own family thinks he is "out of his mind" and scribes from Jerusalem (presumably sent by official religious authorities to investigate this potentially threatening person) have concluded that Jesus is "possessed by Beelzebub" and drives out demons by the authority of the Devil. By accepting their appointment and mission to preach and drive out demons like Jesus, the Apostles will be labeled as controversial and dangerous like their leader.
What demons would Jesus be driving out today? Whom would he be healing? With whom would he be eating? About what would he be preaching? What authorities would think he was mentally ill, threatening, or evil? Would I have the courage and faith to follow such a man when he called?
Of course, Jesus is calling each of us every day. We need to discern in our lives what that call is and if we are truly willing to accept it. Jesus' call looks different in different people's lives, but I believe that one way or another it involves dining with and caring for the poor and marginalized, loving, forgiving, healing, welcoming the stranger and the migrant, and tirelessly working for peace and justice.
Jesus, help us to hear your call. Grant us the courage to accept your invitation to join you in your mission despite the potential danger and controversy.
What is God's call on your life? When Jesus embarked on his mission he chose twelve men for the task of preaching the kingdom of God and healing the sick in the power of that kingdom. In the choice of the twelve, we see a characteristic feature of God's work: Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals, who had no wealth or position. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power.
When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not shrug back because we think that we have little or nothing to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Do you make your life an offering to the Lord and allow him to use you as he sees fit?
"Lord Jesus, fill me with gratitude and generosity for all you have done for me. Take my life and all that I have as an offering of love for you, who are my All."
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