Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu đã chữa lành một người bị quỷ ám. Nhưng trớ trêu thay, những người Biệt Phái và Pharisiêu đã chế nhạo và buộc tội Chúa Giêsu là hoàng tử, là con của quỷ vương nên mới có quyền phép để trừ quỷ như thế. Cho những lời cáo buộc này không có chứng cớ hay cơ sở gì cả, nhưng những người Biệt Phái và Pharisêu đã buộc phải nói điều này bởi vì trong lòng họ cảm thấy Chúa Giêsu như là một mối đe dọa lớn về quyền lợi cho họ. Có bao giờ chúng ta tự thấy chính mình cũng thường hay có những tâm trạng tương tự? Nhiều khi tấm lòng của chúng ta đã quá hạn hẹp, quá ích kỷ, tự cao nên chúng ta đã làm mất sự kiểm soát những cái cảm xúc của chúng ta, để rồi chúng ta chỉ tay vả buộc tội người khác, ngay cả những lúc chúng ta chẳng có một bằng chứng gì.
Có lẽ chúng ta có thể học hỏi nơi bài Tin Mừng hôm nay bằng cách là: Thay vì bàn tán, lan truyền những lời chỉ trích, nói hành, nói xấu hay buộc tội sai người khác và để cho những hận thù gặm nhấm và chiếm ưu thế trong tâm hồn của chúng ta, thì chúng ta hãy nên cố gắng rộng lượng, tha thứ và tập trung vào sự chú ý của chúng ta trong về việc truyền bá chân lý sự thật, truyền bá Tin Mừng Cứu Rỗi và thông điệp tình yêu của Thiên Chúa tới mọi người bằng những việc làm, lời nói và hành động bác ái trong sự chân thành của chúng ta với những người chung quanh kể cả những người chúng ta không thích.
In the first part of the Gospel, Jesus cures someone possessed by a demon. Ironically, the Pharisees then accuse Jesus of being the Prince of Demons. This accusation has no basis, but the Pharisees say this because they see Jesus as a threat to them.
How often do we find ourselves in the same situation? We lose control of our emotions, and point an accusing finger at someone, even without proof or merit.
In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus says, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few." This reflects the situation in the Church today. Many can be enlightened by the Good News of our Lord, but those who actively participate in delivering the Word of God are few. Perhaps we can learn from today's Gospel. Instead of spreading false accusations and allowing hatred to prevail, let us focus our attention on spreading the truth and the message of love from God.
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” Matthew 9:32–33
Imagine being unable to speak. You could not tell your loved ones about your day, share your hopes, joys, or sorrows. The result would be deep isolation and loneliness, the plague afflicting this demoniac.
Metaphorically speaking, this demoniac symbolizes us when we do not have the words to properly express ourselves to another or to God. Our “muteness” is often the result of confused thinking by which we fail to understand ourselves in the light of God’s Eternal Truth. Spiritual muteness is akin to speaking empty words that have no root in divine wisdom. We may speak much, but if our hearts are not attuned to God, our words become noise rather than prayer, reaction rather than revelation, or ramblings rather than the sincere sharing of our hearts.
What does it mean to truly communicate with another? It’s not the multiplication of words, speaking over another, winning an argument, or showcasing yourself and your ideas for others to see. True communication begins with the truth—God’s Truth—alive within our souls. When that happens, when our minds are elevated by the gift of faith and our hearts are perfected by divine wisdom, our words become meaningful. When we speak, whether we say much or little, we do more than express words or ideas—we express ourselves, our union with God, our love for others, and the charity God places within us.
Ultimately, words are meant to serve the building up of God’s Kingdom. Even mundane communications, such as “What would you like for dinner tonight?” can be spoken in a way that builds God’s Kingdom. But just as words can be vessels of grace, they can also become instruments of harm. When they are spoken in self-centeredness, anger, or gossip, they tear down rather than build up, and inflict damage on God’s Kingdom.
In today’s Gospel, we are invited to see the demoniac as a symbol of the times when we speak empty or even harmful words rather than God’s Word. When we speak God’s Word, even in casual speech, we express God’s love as it radiates within our souls. A gentle encouragement, a consoling question about another’s day, a sharing of a joyful encounter, or any other expression of God’s love shining through our human heart is the communication we must strive for.
By literally driving the demon out of the man, Jesus gave witness to His divine power and freed the man from his spiritual affliction. When the Word made flesh casts out the demon and the man speaks, it is more than a miracle of speech—it is a restoration of identity. Christ, the Eternal Word, restores human language to its sacred purpose: to give voice to truth, to unite persons in love, and above all, to glorify God.
Continuing the metaphor, Jesus also wants to drive out the muteness within us—that is, our sin and every evil temptation to speak empty or damaging words instead of expressing divine truth with charity. Spiritual muteness becomes most deafening when our words echo the evil one’s lies and temptations.
When we allow Christ to purify our hearts and minds, He also loosens our tongues. He gives us the grace to pray with authenticity, to speak with clarity, and to witness with courage. This is the fruit of true deliverance—we are freed from evil and empowered for communion.
Reflect today on the astonishment of the crowd who cried out, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” When God frees us from the burden of empty or harmful speech, our natural response will be astonishment and praise. We are made to express love and truth and to share our lives with others within that love and truth. When this happens, we realize the muteness with which we previously struggled and delight in the freedom we attain.
Eternal Word of the Father, speak into the silence of my heart. Drive out all confusion, fear, and sin that renders me mute before You. Heal my soul, loosen my tongue, and teach me to speak Your truth in love. May I never be afraid to proclaim Your goodness, build others up, and strengthen Your Kingdom by giving glory to Your holy Name. Jesus, I trust in You.
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I am willing to be sent by you. I strive to hear your call every day and place all that I am at your service. I will shepherd those in my care and lead them to restful waters. I will work in your vineyard and harvest good fruit for your Kingdom.
1. The Rejection of the New Moses: The ten mighty works of Jesus in Matthew 8-9 recall the ten mighty works the Lord performed through Moses in Egypt. Yet just as Pharaoh hardened his heart against God’s saving power, many of Israel’s leaders hardened their hearts against Jesus. While the crowds marveled at Christ’s authority over disease, demons, sin, and even death, the Pharisees refused to recognize the coming of God’s Kingdom. Rather than glorifying God for inaugurating the long-awaited New Exodus through Jesus, the New Moses, they accused Jesus of casting out demons ‘by the prince of demons’ (Matthew 9:34). Their accusation reveals a tragic spiritual blindness and hardness of heart: the very works that should have led them to faith instead became occasions for unbelief. Just as Pharaoh sought to kill Moses, so also the leaders of Israel would plot to kill Jesus. Just as Moses and the people would be saved by passing through the Sea, so also Jesus would be raised to life through his Baptism on the Cross.
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35–36
Jesus was quite zealous for souls. Zeal is an energy, a passion and a drive to accomplish some task. The task that Jesus was zealous for was the conversion of every heart that He encountered. As He walked from town to town, encountering person after person, Jesus could see into their hearts. He saw that so many people were “troubled and abandoned.” He could see they were like “sheep without a shepherd.” And this moved Him to compassion with a zeal to become their Shepherd, to remove the trouble from their hearts and to let them know they were invited to belong to His new Kingdom.
The image of Jesus encountering numerous people who were troubled and abandoned is a good image to ponder. The reason is that this is us. Each one of us has our own interior troubles. We can feel alone, confused, uncertain and lost at times. The person who doesn’t feel this way is either a perfect saint or is not being honest. Deep holiness and union with God does, of course, cure this interior struggle that many have. In that case, the person clearly knows they belong to the family of God, understands himself or herself as a son or daughter of God, and finds deep peace in this truth. But for those who struggle, this Scripture passage is especially for you.
First of all, to be “troubled” could be caused by many things. For some, they struggle with memories of the past, broken relationships, a lack of direction, serious sin, anger and the like. So the first question to honestly ponder is whether or not you have a troubled heart. Even the greatest of saints will find some areas they struggle with. So what is that for you?
Secondly, feeling “abandoned” is a heavy cross. The reason Jesus came was to enable us to belong to His family. That is accomplished by the gift of eternal salvation which must begin now. By receiving the forgiveness of sins and growing in a life of prayer, we come to know God in a very intimate and personal way. Yes, He is the Almighty God and Creator of all. But He is also deeply personal and intimate, and He wants to form a real relationship of love with you.
If you struggle with either of these, being troubled and/or abandoned, then consider the zeal that Jesus has for you. His tireless and extensive travels, by foot, while He was engaging in His public ministry, should be seen as a sign to you of His zeal to come to you, personally, to become your Shepherd. He wants to lift every burden and clear the way for you to discover your place in His family. The “Gospel of the Kingdom” that Jesus preached was one that invited everyone to become a member of that Kingdom. As He comes to you, know that His heart is filled with compassion for you, just as it was when He traveled the countryside so long ago. He sees you, gazes at your heart with love, and never takes His eyes off of you in your need, weakness and sin.
Reflect, today, upon the zeal that Jesus has for your own eternal salvation and holiness of life. You cannot make it through this world without Him. Let Jesus seek you out, come to you, speak to you and invite you to allow Him to shepherd you. He wants to do so with every fiber of His being; let Jesus fulfill His mission in you.
My divine Shepherd, You seek out all people with the greatest of zeal and compassion. You see every hurting and broken heart, and You desire to heal each one. Thank You for coming to me, dear Lord, for being my Shepherd and Guide. Help me to see You as You gaze at me in my weakness and pain. And help me to open my heart to You now and throughout my life. I love You, my Lord. Jesus, I trust in You.
Tuesday 14th Ordinary Time 2023
Opening Prayer: Jesus, I know evangelization is a great task and that few go out into the field as you did to work. I commit myself once more to your service, Lord Jesus, and I pray for all of those who you are calling to this task. Lord, send laborers to your harvest!
1. The Doubters: Even as Christ goes about doing good works and casting out demons, there remain the Pharisees, who claim that his power derives from a lower source. These people spread doubt about Christ’s power, for their sanctimony and learning blind them. Christ looks instead to the crowd, who are humble and open to his teaching and healing.
Tuesday 14th Ordinary Time 2022
Opening Prayer: Jesus, have mercy on me. Too often, I have wandered, like a sheep, away from your truth. If it is your will to send me out as a laborer, grant me the humility to seek always your ways and your wisdom, that others may, through me, be guided back to you.
Are We the Bringer or the One Brought?: The demons had taken away the possessed man’s very ability to speak. It is only because he was brought to Jesus, St. Matthew’s Gospel recounts, that he could be healed, and could then speak for himself. Do we (gently) bring to Jesus those who cannot even speak his name? Do we guide those around us toward an encounter with the living God of love? Or, perhaps, we are, or were, like the mute man in the story, the one brought to Jesus for restoration. In either circumstance, we should praise Jesus. “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be always in my mouth” (Psalm 34:2). With the praise of Jesus on our lips, we will be powerful evangelizers, sons, and daughters with hearts full of gratitude for all Jesus does for us.
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