Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Tư Tuần I Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Tư Tuần I Thường Niên. Mark 1:29-39

 Trong cuộc sống trên đời này, con người không ai có thể tránh được tất cả những bệnh tật, đau khổ và những khó khăn trong cuộc đời. Vì thế chúng ta cần đến với C
húa, nhưng ma quỷ luôn ở bên cạnh và luôn muốn có sự ảnh hưởng trong cuộc sống tâm linh của chúng ta, nên chúng ta cũng cần phải biết khiêm tốn đến Chúa xin Chúa ban ơn giải thoát cho chúng ta tránh khỏi được những sự dữ. Tuy nhiên, trước khi chúng ta biết những gì chúng ta muốn, Chúa đã biết và sẵn sàng giúp ban cho chúng ta những gì chúng ta cần. Ngài chắc chắn sẽ nắm chắc lấy bàn tay run rẩy của chúng ta để cho những cơn sốt, những đau bệnh và sự dữ có thể trục xuất ra khỏi con người của chúng ta. Chúa vẫn vẫn còn đang tiếp tục sứ mệnh cứu chuộc của Ngài. Nhưng điều này chỉ có thể xảy ra nếu chúng ta sẵn lòng để Thiên Chúa chiếm ngự cuộc sống của chúng ta. Và điều này chỉ có thể ảnh hưởng đến chúng ta nếu chúng ta bằng lòng cho phép Ngài ôm giữ chúng ta, và để Ngài quan tâm đến cuộc sống tâm linh của chúng ta.
Khi con người cảm thấy tuyệt vọng tột cùng, họ đã ngã mình xuống dưới chân Chúa để cầu xin sự giúp đỡ vì họ biết rằng Chúa luôn sẵn sàng ban cho họ những ơn mà họ xin.   Tuy nhiên, nếu chúng ta cảm nhận được những “phép lạ” mà Thiên Chúa đã ban riêng cho mỗi người chúng ta. Nhưng sự cứu chữa khỏi bệnh tật và chinh phục được những sự cám dỗ của ma quỷ ở nơi chúng ta chỉ có thể thành công tốt đẹp nếu chúng ta biết thành tâm đặt niềm tin cậy vào nơi Chúa như một người bạn thân qua những lời nguyện xin trong sự khiêm tốn, Tin vào sự hiện diện liên tục của Đức Kitô ở nơi giữa chúng ta.
Chúng ta hãy cầu xin Chúa cho chúng ta được ơn biết nhận thức ra tình yêu của Chúa trong những nơi và những khi thật bất ngờ và trong những khoảnh khắc đáng ngạc nhiên mà Chúa đã tạo ra.
 
REFLECTION
As daunting illness enters into our reality, we imploringly pray for healing. When there are evil forces out there that seem to be affecting our balance, we humbly ask for deliverance. However, even before we know what we want, Jesus is already willing to give us what we need. He firmly grasps our trembling hands so that the fever may leave us. He places his gentle palms over us, and the tormenting voices are silenced. The mission continues even up to this very day. But this can happen only once we let him into our lives. This can affect us only if we allow him to hold us, to deeply care for us.
             In the Gospels, we read about how he helped so many people in distress. When they felt that they were on their last legs, they threw themselves at his feet begging for help which he willingly offered. However, if we just let these miracles remain as words on pages, we can never truly experience his love being etched in our hearts. But salvation from sickness and conquest of demons in our midst becomes possible only with his touch of love and compassion. And this can unfold in the most subtle of ways – through the gentle and reassuring embrace of a trusted friend, from the inspiring conversation with an acquaintance, through the prayers sent over the internet — these are all humble manifestations of the continuing presence of Christ in our midst. Let us beg for the grace of awareness so that we may recognize his love in the most unexpected of places and in the many surprising moments he creates.
 
Wednesday 1st Week in Ordinary Time
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.  Mark 1:32–34
Today we read that Jesus once again “drove out many demons...” The passage then adds, “...not permitting them to speak because they knew him.” 
Why would Jesus not permit these demons to speak? Many of the early Church fathers explain that even though the demons had an understanding that Jesus was the promised Messiah, they did not understand fully what that meant and how He would accomplish His ultimate victory. Therefore, Jesus did not want them to speak only half-truths about Him, as the evil one often does, thus misleading the people. So Jesus always forbade these demons from speaking about Him publicly.
It’s important to understand that all of the demonic spirits failed to understand the full truth that it would be Jesus’ death that ultimately destroys death itself and sets all people free. For that reason, we see that these diabolical forces continually conspired against Jesus and tried to attack Him throughout His life. They stirred up Herod when Jesus was a baby, which forced Him into exile in Egypt. Satan himself tempted Jesus just prior to the beginning of His public ministry so as to try to dissuade Jesus from His mission. There were many diabolical forces who continually attacked Jesus throughout His public ministry, especially through the ongoing hostility of the religious leaders at the time. And it can be presumed that these demons may have initially thought they won the battle when they accomplished their goal of having Jesus crucified. 
The truth, however, is that Jesus’ wisdom continually confounded these demons and ultimately transformed their evil act of having Him crucified into an ultimate victory over sin and death itself by rising from the dead. Satan and his demons are real, but compared to the truth and wisdom of God, these diabolical forces reveal their complete foolishness and weakness. Just like Jesus, we need to rebuke these tempters in our lives and command that they be silent. Too often we allow their half truths to mislead us and confuse us.
Reflect, today, upon the importance of confidently rebuking the evil one and the many lies he tempts us to believe. Rebuke him with the truth and authority of Christ and pay no attention to what he says.
My precious and all-powerful Lord, I turn to You and You alone as the source of all Truth and the fullness of Truth. May I listen to Your voice alone and reject the many deceptions of the evil one and his demons. In Your precious name, Jesus, I rebuke satan and all evil spirits, their lies and their temptations. I send these spirits to the foot of Your Cross, dear Lord, and open my mind and heart only to You. Jesus, I trust in You. 
Wednesday 1st Week in Ordinary Time 2023
ntroductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for this time we will spend together. I wish to step away from the world and all its activities to be alone with you now.  You are my beginning and end: you created me and lead me home to you in heaven. Thank you for your love. I know I deserve nothing from you and my sins compound my unworthiness, yet you would still enfold me in your unfathomable love.
Petition: Lord, increase my love for prayer and the interior life.
1. A Man for Others: Here is Jesus in action. He works tirelessly from morning to night. He never thinks of himself. He never says he’s too tired or too busy to serve someone or to give others part of his time. He is there for everyone, and he keeps pushing himself to do more and more. He loves, and his love compels him to give himself to everyone around him without counting the cost. The whole city gathers to see him, and he opens his heart to all. He teaches. He heals the sick. He casts out demons. He is a man for others.
2. A Man of Prayer: After a full day of work, Jesus rested for just a little while, and then he rose early for prayer. There was a balance between his apostolic work and his life of prayer. Jesus wasn’t too busy to seek the solitude necessary to speak heart-to-heart with his Father. He found strength in prayer. He strengthened his resolve to follow his Father’s plan in prayer. He was absorbed in prayer for so long that the others began to go in search of him. Prayer wasn’t just a one-time activity: it was part of his daily routine.
3. Everyone Is Searching for Him: “Everyone is searching for you,” they said when they found Christ. They expressed the desire of every person. We all need God. He is the deepest desire of the human heart. God is searching for us, too. Jesus gets up from his prayer and heads out to the next town. We are searching for Christ, and he is searching for us. Where do we meet him? In prayer. In prayer, we speak heart-to-heart with the one whom we know loves us. In prayer, we can speak about the things that are important to us and about those things that are most important to him. This vital encounter gives light and strength to every other encounter we will have during the rest of the day. Through prayer, our love for others is enkindled so that we can spend ourselves tirelessly for others as Jesus did. Through prayer, we can be men and women for others.
Conversation with Christ: Lord, help me to put you first in my life by giving you the best of my time. Help me not to give into laziness but rise early in the morning so I can be with you. I need you in my life. Help me experience your love so I can share it with others. Help me to give myself to your plan of salvation and reach out to those searching for you. Help me to hunger for you alone so that you will satisfy my hunger.
Resolution: I will invoke Our Lord in short and simple prayers throughout today, telling him I love him and asking for the grace of greater intimacy with him through prayer.
 
Wednesday 1st Week in Ordinary Time 2022
Opening Prayer: Lord, your power to heal and overcome darkness is as strong today as it was when you walked upon the earth. Strengthen my faith in your power, your goodness, and your plans for me and those I love. I believe; help my unbelief!
Encountering Christ:
Compassionate Healer: Jesus left the synagogue where he had just astounded the congregation with his divine knowledge of Scripture and his power over a demon. When he entered the house of Simon and Andrew, he probably did so as a man who would have liked a hot meal and a rest! However, when he heard that Simon’s mother-in-law was ill, he immediately healed her of her illness. No matter how weary he was, Jesus always drew strength from his Father to minister to the people. His innate compassion and love for everyone he encountered shone throughout the Gospel of Mark. Simon’s mother-in-law was changed fundamentally by her healing experience of Christ. Not only was her illness gone, she felt a compelling desire to wait upon Jesus. She exemplifies the response we should all have when we personally encounter Christ in prayer, in the sacraments, and in others.
Ultimate Power: As the day of miracles seemed to draw to a close, the word was out in Capernaum that a healer was in their midst. Every family in town with a loved one suffering from physical illness or afflicted with demons rushed to Simon’s house, hoping against hope that their loved ones might be healed. Jesus did not disappoint. It is hard to imagine how great the rejoicing must have been as seriously ill people were made well and people who were tormented and afflicted by demons were set free. Nothing like it had ever been recorded in human history! We gather as a community every Sunday at Mass. What is our expectation? Do we anticipate an increased sense of Christian friendship? Are we seeking a healing? A spiritual boost? We encounter Jesus, Son of the living God, who has the ultimate power to heal and strengthen us. He encourages us to hope in him.
Fueled by Prayer: Despite a long and eventful day, Jesus rose early the next morning to seek solitude. Physically fueled as he was by the hospitality of Simon’s mother-in-law, he needed something more than a few extra hours of sleep. He needed the connection with his Father that prayer alone can provide. When the Apostles found Jesus and told him that everyone was looking for him, he responded with renewed purpose, and they left to preach in the neighboring villages throughout Galilee. If we want to be servants of God, we can imitate Jesus by making prayer our first priority. 
Conversation with Christ: Lord, teach me to seek you in prayer at the beginning of each and every day. Open my eyes to those who you are calling me to serve, and give me the grace to serve with love. Give me a grateful heart. May I bless your name in good times and bad, knowing that you will always work for my good in all circumstances. 
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will commit to rising a few minutes early each day to spend more time in prayer, both talking to you and quietly listening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suy Niệm tin Mừng Thứ Ba Tuần Thứ Nhất Thường Niên

Tuesday 1st Week in Ordinary Time

Suy Niệm tin Mừng Thứ Ba Tuần Thứ Nhất Thường Niên. Mark 1:21-28

Bài Tin Mừng hôm nay giúp chúng ta nhận ra bàn chất con người thực sự của Chúa Giêsu, và qua đó chúng ta có thể hiểu rõ được sứ mệnh của Ngài. Những lời giảng dạy của Chúa Giêsu đã làm mọi người trong hội đường vô cùng kinh ngạc  Ngài dạy dỗ họ như một người có uy quyền của Chúa Thánh Thần, vì họ chưa bao giờ có thể  được nghe những lời của Thiên Chúa như thế này.

Bằng lời nói của Ngài, thậm chí ma quỷ phải kính sợ, bởi thế, chúng ta không lạ gì khi đám đông đã có sự phản ứng như thế. Họ rất đỗi ngạc nhiên vì những phép lạ của Ngài đã làm, nhưng họ không nhận ra Ngài là ai. Họ đang bị hấp dẫn bởi lời nói của Ngài, nhưng họ không biết làm sao mà Ngài có được những quyền năng như thế. Trên thực tế, Chúa Giêsu đã có quyền lực và sức mạnh vì Ngài chính là Ngôi Lời của Thiên Chúa đã xuống thế nhập thể làm người. Và vì thế khi Ngài phán là chính Thiên Chúa đã phán. Khi Ngài truyền thì tất cả  ma quỉ cũng phải vâng lời.https://www.facebook.com/

            Tuy nhiên, Chúa Giêsu cũng khiêm tốn khi Ngài đã bắt thần ô uế phải im lặng không được tuyên rao Ngài là Đấng Thánh của Thiên Chúa. Ngài đến là để loan truyền và đưa con người hướng về Thiên Chúa. Đối với Chúa Giêsu, Nước Thiên Chúa sẽ chỉ được hiện thực nếu tất cả mọi người biết thống hối, ăn năn và biển đổi cuộc sống và biết trở về với Chúa Kitô.

            Nếu chúng ta biến biến đổi đời sống cá nhân của chúng ta hôm nay để trở về với Thiên Chúa, Chúa Kitô sẽ ban cho chúng ta quyền phép để đánh bại Satan. Như Chúa Giêsu đã nói, "Ví bằng Ta nhờ Thần khí Thiên Chúa mà trừ quỉ, thì quả là Nước Thiên Chúa đã đến trên các ngươi.". (Mt 12: 28)

            Lạy Chúa, lời Chúa là sức mạnh và là cuộc sống của chúng con. Xin giúp chúng con đừng bao giờ nghi ngờ tình yêu cứu rỗi  và lòng thương xót của Chúa, Xin vì sức mạnh của Lời của Chúa mang lại ơn chữa lành và giải thoát cho chúng con và những người cần đến lòng thương xót  Chúa.

 

My Reflection for Tuesday after 1 Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today's gospel is for us to recognize the true person of Jesus, and thereby understand His mission. Jesus' teaching astounded the multitude in the synagogue. He taught with authority. He spoke the word of God as no one had spoken it before. By His words, He had authority even over demons. No wonder the crowd reacted with amazement and wonder but not with recognition. They are amazed by His actions, but they don't recognize who He is. They are intrigued by His words, but they do not know from where the authority comes.  But Jesus was authority incarnate - the Word of God made flesh. When He spoke, God spoke. When He commanded even the demons obeyed.

            However, Jesus was also guarding against the dangerous possibility that He would be recognized as a political Messiah. Jesus had to silence the unclean spirit for proclaiming Him as the Holy One of God for fear that people would seek Him as a political leader who would deliver them from the oppressive foreign forces occupying Palestine. This mistaken view would jeopardize His mission, which was to inaugurate the kingdom of God. For Jesus, the Kingdom of God would only become a reality if sinners would repent and convert themselves to Christ. Undergoing personal conversion to Christ would allow them to defeat Satan. As Jesus would say, "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Mt 12: 28).

"Lord, your word is power and life. May I never doubt you’re saving love and mercy, and the power of your word to bring healing and deliverance to those in need?"

 

Tuesday after 1 Sunday of Ordinary Time

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!” Mark 1:23–25

There were numerous times when Jesus directly confronted demons in the Scriptures. Each time He rebuked them and exercised His authority over them. The passage above illustrates one such case.

The fact that the devil shows himself over and over in the Gospels tells us that the evil one is real and needs to be dealt with appropriately. And the appropriate way to deal with the evil one and his fellow demons is to rebuke them with the authority of Christ Jesus Himself in a calm but definitive and authoritative way.

It’s very rare that the evil one makes himself fully manifest to us in the way that he did in the passage above to Jesus. The demon speaks directly through this man, which indicates that the man was fully possessed. And though we do not see this form of manifestation often, it doesn’t mean that the evil one is any less active today. Instead, it shows that the authority of Christ is not being exercised by the Christian faithful to the extent that is necessary to combat the evil one. Instead, we often cower in the face of evil and fail to confidently and charitably stand our ground with Christ.

Why did this demon manifest himself in such a visible way? Because this demon was directly confronted with the authority of Jesus. The devil usually prefers to remain hidden and deceptive, presenting himself as an angel of light so that his evil ways are not known clearly. Those whom he controls often do not even know how much they are influenced by the evil one. But when the evil one is confronted with the pure presence of Christ, with the Truth of the Gospel that sets us free, and with Jesus’ authority, this confrontation often forces the evil one to react by manifesting his evil.

Reflect, today, upon the fact that the evil one is constantly at work all around us. Consider the people and circumstances in your life where the pure and holy Truth of God is attacked and rejected. It is in those situations, more than any other, that Jesus wants to bestow upon you His divine authority to confront evil, rebuke it and take authority over it. This is primarily done through prayer and deep trust in the power of God. Don’t be afraid to allow God to use you to confront the activity of the evil one in this world.

Lord, give me courage and wisdom when I face the activity of the evil one in this world. Give me wisdom to discern his hand at work and give me courage to confront and rebuke him with Your love and authority. May Your authority be alive in my life, Lord Jesus, and may I daily become a better instrument of the coming of Your Kingdom as I confront the evil present in this world. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Tuesday after 1 Sunday of Ordinary Time

Petition: Lord, may I understand that you are the truth. May I love you as Truth-made-incarnate in my heart.

1. Truth and the Good Interwoven: “For he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” In his encyclical The Splendor of Truth, Pope Saint John Paul II reminded us of the necessary link between freedom, truth and the good. He went so far as to say that a correct understanding of this link is essential for the world's salvation. Jesus taught with authority because he was both the Truth and the Good. Our freedom consists in recognizing this and living accordingly. Do I sincerely seek the truth in my life? Do I sincerely seek what is truly good, or am I conforming myself in some way to the hedonistic and self-seeking standards of the world?

2. Multiplying Our Good: “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” When our freedom refuses to recognize that Jesus is the Truth and that our greatest good consists in loving and following him, we feel threatened. We try to hold on to the good we imagine that we have apart from him. He does not want to take away the good we have, but rather he wishes to increase and multiply it. But to do so we must allow lesser goods we now have to die so that greater goods might rise with strength. Unless the seed falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a seed. But if it dies it rises to new life (cf. John 12:24).

3. The Demands of Truth: “All were amazed and asked one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority.’” Today we live in a relativistic world, where truth is whatever we want it to be. “Whatever makes you comfortable” is the motto of the day. We are amazed when Jesus breaks the mold of relativism, revealing the lie hidden within it and proclaims that he is the Truth. When the Gospel makes demands on my life, do I shift into relativism and believe that it makes no difference how or if I respond? If the Gospel makes me comfortable, I will obey, but if not…. Truth can be demanding, but it is a blessing that, in the person of Christ, the truth is also love, mercy, goodness, and joy. Do I love the truth and strive to live in the light?

Conversation with Christ: Lord, you know how quickly I excuse myself from meeting your demands for my life. I do so even while knowing that when I fulfill them, I always discover new strength, hidden energy, and untapped resources of love within me. Help me to give myself to you in love, to meet your demands, and to experience the power of grace unleashed within me.

Resolution: Today, I will offer Christ something good but not necessary. By doing this, I will show my love for him and grow in self-detachment, so I can be more open to the good that he wishes to give me. 

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Hai Tuần thứ Nhất Thường Niên Mark 1:14-20

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Hai Tuần thứ Nhất Thường Niên Mark 1:14-20

Chúa Giêsu đã chịu phép Rửa, Chúa Cha đã xác nhận sứ mệnh của Ngài, và bây giờ Ngài bắt đầu giảng dạy về Nước Thiên Chúa.  Trong đoạn Tin Mừng  hôm nay đã mô tả việc Chúa Giêsu kêu gọi các môn đệ đầu tiên. Chúa Giê-su đã có sức quyến rũ qua những rao giảng và mời gọi của Ngài mà các ông Simon và Andrew, James và John, con trai của Zebedee có sự cảm hứng, ngay lập tức rời bỏ công việc đang dở dang và bỏ cha mình và đi theo Chúa.

Chữ “ngay lập tức” thì vô cùng quan trọng. Theo lời tường thuật trong Tin Mừng Thánh Gioan, bốn người họ đã gặp Chúa Giêsu. Tuy nhiên, theo thánh Macô kể lại thì cuộc gặp gỡ đặc biệt của 4 môn đệ này với Chúa Giêsu, Ngài đã kêu gọi họ đi theo Ngài trong một cuộc gặp gỡ thật khác thường và bất ngờ họ sẵn sàng rời bỏ mọi thứ để theo Chúa ngay lập tức. Họ không ngần ngại suy tính lợi hại, Họ không nghĩ về tương lai hay quá khứ. Họ chỉ biết vâng phục và chấp nhận mọi rủi ro và sự mong muốn bất ngờ này đã mang lại cho họ sự thỏa mãn trái tim của họ.

Có một sự khác biệt rất lớn giữa việc biết về Chúa Giêsu và gặp gỡ Người. Có thể khi chúng ta        được rửa tội khi còn nhỏ, hoặc khi đã trưởng thành mới đáp lại món quà đức tin của Chúa, chúng ta đã biết về Chúa Giêsu. Tin Mừng hôm nay kêu gọi chúng ta đến với một cuộc gặp gỡ thân mật hơn với Chúa Giêsu là Chúa và Cứu Chúa của chúng ta. Lạy Chúa Giêsu, xin ban cho con có được đặc ân là có được một cuộc gặp gỡ sâu sắc, cá nhân với Ngài và làm thay đổi cuộc sống của chúng con.

 

Monday 1st week of Ordinary Time

Jesus has been baptized, the Father has confirmed his mission and now he starts to teach about the Kingdom of God. As a teacher, he began to gather disciples who would participate in his mission.

Today’s passage from Mark’s Gospel describes the calling of the first disciples. Jesus used words of invitation, which were so inspired and so strong that Simon and Andrew, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, immediately left their works and followed him.

The word immediately is extremely important.  According to the account in St John’s Gospel, the four of them had already encountered Jesus. However, Mark tells of a special encounter with Jesus, who called them to follow him. This encounter was so unusual and so deep that they were ready to leave everything in order to follow him, immediately. They did not think about the future or the past. They just took a risk and yielded to this sudden desire, which fulfilled their hearts.

There is a huge difference between knowing about Jesus and meeting him. Baptized as children perhaps, or as adults responding to God’s gift of faith, we have learned about Jesus. The Gospel calls us to a more intimate encounter with Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Jesus, grant me the grace of a deep, personal, and life-changing encounter with You.

 

Monday 1st week of Ordinary Time

Opening Prayer: Lord, quiet my mind. Help me to take a step back from my anxieties, cares, and worries and just rest quietly with you. I long to follow you and answer your call. Please give me the grace to do so today. 

Encountering Christ:

·         John Arrested: John was enormously popular and regarded as a prophet. He publicly criticized King Herod for taking his own sister-in-law from his brother Philip and making her his wife. Herod was fascinated and confused by John the Baptist. His confusion was a result of hearing the truth but not wanting to make any changes in his life. When Herod arrested John, we can only imagine the impact that made on the crowds who revered John and had witnessed the amazing events surrounding the Baptism of Jesus. It was a period of growing uncertainty and political unrest. However, instead of being fearful or cautious, Jesus boldly used this moment to proclaim the time of fulfillment and the coming of the Kingdom of God. Nothing ever kept Jesus from speaking Truth. By his example, we are encouraged to put aside all fears of reaching out to others with Christ’s love.

·         The Fishermen: Jesus called two sets of busy working men, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and the brothers James and John, to abandon the tools of their livelihood and follow him. This is one of many times in Scripture where we see God call working people as they went about the business of their lives. Whether they were working the fields, fishing, or tending a flock, they were asked to abandon these tasks and answer his call. And so often, those called by God were simple folk, not particularly well-equipped for missionary activity. This certainly highlights the divine nature of the call. Only by the power of God can we fulfill our unique calling. “The Holy Spirit is the protagonist, ‘the principal agent of the whole of the Church's mission” (CCC 852). 

·         They Left Their Nets: How many pivotal times in the Bible we see God counting on a human “yes!” Moses agreed to confront Pharaoh, David accepted the call to defeat Goliath and become king. Most profoundly, Mary’s fiat brought the Messiah into the world. Here we see four more “yes” responses to the call of the Spirit. Why does our all-powerful God seek a “yes” from human beings? Our “yes” to God is an expression of our free will, a gift God gave each of us so as to unite ourselves to him in love. “By free will, [man] is capable of directing himself toward his true good. He finds his perfection ‘in seeking and loving what is true and good’” (CCC 1704). Every call is an invitation to love God more perfectly, and through him to love others. 

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I may not be called to be one of the Apostles, to be a king, or to be a famous follower of yours. I know that you are calling me to follow you nonetheless. I know that you are strong even though I am weak. Help me to trust in your strength. Today, as I ponder on this particular Gospel, I ask that you make me open to your call for my life. Grant me wisdom and a servant’s heart as I follow you. 

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will say a decade of the rosary, praying to discern more deeply God’s call in my life.

 

REFLECTION

Christ's call to conversion exempts no one. All of us stand in need of turning more and more away from selfishness and laziness, from pride and stubbornness, or from greed and possessiveness. Who of us can say that we have no sins of omission to repent of? Sins like neglecting hospitality and courtesy, failing to return something borrowed, to say thanks for a favor, or avoiding responsibility and prayer. But turning away from sin is only half the conversion  process.

The other half is to turn towards something better to bring us closer to God. The easiest way to root out a bad habit is to replace it with a good one, like developing discipline to displace our irresponsibility, sharing more to stem our selfishness, or taking time to pray to cut down on our television viewing. To believe in the good news challenges us to get involved in a good cause, like the war on poverty, or fighting injustice and corruption in all its forms. It certainly does take courage to change, whether personally in our battle with something like alcohol, or socially in our struggle with something like injustice. But change is possible. For some of us, change is a must if we are ever going to hear the good news and walk the path that leads to goodness. Moreover, according to our Lord, the time is now, not later. The kingdom is here, not some place else. Like the four disciples called in the Gospel, we need to have the urgency to act at once, before it is too late.

Suy Niệm Thứ Hai - Lễ Kính Chúa Giêsu Chịu Phép Rửa

Suy Niệm Thứ Hai - Lễ Kính Chúa Giêsu Chịu Phép Rửa

"Con là Con yêu dấu của Cha, Con đẹp lòng Cha".

Hôm nay chúng ta cử hành trọng thể mừng ngày Chúa chịu Phép Rửa và cũng là ngày kết thúc mùa phụng vụ Giáng Sinh Giáo Hội muốn nhắc nhở chúng ta về Phép Rửa của chúng ta, không phải chỉ là việc chúng ta  được thánh tẩy nhưng điều quan trọng hơn là chúng ta được làm con cái của Thiên Chúa.

Trong  tinh thần bí tích Thánh Tẩy của chúng ta,  không phải là việc áp đặt một tín ngưỡng hay lễ nghi, nhưng được hiểu là một lời kêu gọi chia sẻ một cuộc sống. Trong Phép Rửa của chúng ta,  mỗi người chúng ta được mời gọi sống một cuộc sống nhân ái và trung thực, với lòng từ bi và sự tha thứ, trong sự công bằng và yêu thương.  Những cách mà chúng ta đang sống là bằng chứng xác thực về sự thật của Phép Rửa mà chúng ta đã nhận được.

            Một ngưởi thực sự đã chịu Phép Rửa là một người biết sống ngay lành, sống  bên cánh phải của một cuộc sống trong thế giới đảo lộn. Chúng ta sống một  cuộc sống của mình theo cách bình dị trong đức Tin mà không hể đem lại cho thế giới bất cứ vấn đề, hay trở ngại, nhưng là góp phần trong những  giải pháp cho các vấn đề của thế giới hiện tại. Một ngườ đã nhận Phép Rửa thực sự  thì họ luôn có sự hiện diện tình yêu noi họ trong thế giới ngày nay.

            Làm thế nào để chúng ta có thế sống trong sứ vụ tình yêu này theo  sự đòi hỏi trong Phép Rửa ? Giáo Hội Công Giáo của chúng ta  có rất nhiều  người Kitô hữu “đã nghỉ hưu",  nghĩa là Họ là những người không còn phải là người lữ hành trên đường đến với Chúa chính gốc, vì họ không chịu thăng tiến trong cuộc sống, họ là con người đã nhận lấy Phép Rửa, nhưng vẫn tiếp tục sống trong tình trạng tội lỗi của họ ,và sống với anh em của họ như sống với kẻ thù. Một người đã thật sự nhận Phép Rửa, là người biết kinh hoàng , sợ hãi với trạng tội lỗi của mình và tội lỗi của thế giới.

            Khi nhận Phép Rửa, chúng ta không phải chỉ  được ơn tha thứ  tội nguyên tổ mà thôi,  Nhưng Phép Rửa còn là một sự thách thức và một sự kêu gọi chúng ta biết sống một đời sống thánh thiện, sống trong tình yêu thương. Chúng ta càng hiểu biết về bí tích Thánh Tẩy, chúng ta sẽ càng không hài lòng với cuộc sống không có mục đích và định hướng của chúng ta, chúng ta càng sẽ khao khát cho sự thánh thiện. Nếu chúng ta muốn thuyết phục người khác về giá trị của Phép Rửa của họ, chúng ta phải biết sống với những sự thách thức đang đòi hỏi nơi chúng ta. Chúng ta phải sống đức tin mà chúng ta đã tuyên xưng khi chúng ta nhận Phép Rửa để chúng ta có thể giúp những người khác tin vào Thiên Chúa và sống đời sống đức tin của họ.

            Lạy Chúa, xin cho chúng con nhận được những ân sủng của Chúa ban để tham dự vào mối quan hệ tình yêu thương này với Thiên Chúa Ba Ngôi và có được cuộc sống mới. Qua bí tích rửa tội, Xin giúp chúng con biết tin tưởng và theo Chúa Giêsu Kitô, Con Thiên Chúa, Chúa chúng con.

 

Reflection:

     "You are my Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen." The baptism of Jesus by his cousin John the Baptist at the Jordan River inaugurates Jesus' mission to the poor and sinners. Today's feast which ends the liturgical Christmas season reminds us of our own baptism, not so much of our being cleansed but, more important, of our being made adopted children of God called to be men and women for others.

     The spirit of our baptism is not to just impose a creed or ritual but is meant to be a call to share a life. In our baptism each one of us is called to a life of kindness and honesty, of compassion and forgiveness, of fairness and love. The type of life we live is the real evidence of the reality of our baptism.

     One truly baptized is a person who lives right-side-up in a world that is upside-down. He/she lives his/her life in such a way that he/she does not add to the world's problems but is part of the solution to the world's problems. One truly baptized is the presence of love in today's world.

     How do we live this mission of love demanded by our baptism? Our Church has so many "retired" Christians, those who are not genuine pilgrims because they do not advance in life, baptized people who continue in their sinfulness and with their fraternization with the enemy. One truly baptized is one horrified at his/her own sinfulness and the sinfulness of the world.

     Our baptism is not only about the forgiveness of original sin. Our baptism is a challenge and a call to live holy lives, lives of love. The better we understand our baptism, the more we will be dissatisfied with lives without purpose or direction and the more we will aspire for holiness. If we wish to convince others of the value of their baptism, we must live the challenges demanded of us by our baptism. We have to live the faith we professed when we were baptized to be able to help others believe in God and live lives of faith.

 

Baptism of the Lord—Feast

Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for this time to be with you. I believe in you. I believe you are here with me and want to speak with me today. I wish to open my heart to hear your word and put it into practice out of love for you.

Petition: Lord, help me to grow in the virtue of humility.

1. Jesus Lines up with Sinners: John was preaching a baptism of repentance, and many people were coming to John to repent of their sins. They wanted to change the direction of their lives and be reconciled with God. Jesus came along with the crowd. Even though he is the sinless one, he numbered himself among the others and proceeded to the Jordan as if he were a sinner like them. To appreciate this gesture, we need only to recall how much we resent it when we are perceived as guilty for something we didn’t do. It’s even costly to have our real faults pointed out to others. Yet here, even when he is so far from the slightest stain of guilt, Jesus peacefully and humbly accepts being labeled a sinner like everyone else. He does this for our sake. Am I overly concerned about how I appear to others so that this negatively affects my good deeds?  

2. A Humility that Bows to the Father’s Will: John did not want to baptize Jesus because he knew that Jesus was not like the others. Yet Jesus made it clear that this was part of the Father’s plan, and this plan was the driving force in his life. Pride did not get in the way of Jesus’ obedience. Instead, his Father’s will was the food that fed and nourished his life. “My food is to do the will of the Father and to finish his work” (John 4:34). What does my own heart “feed on”? If it is not fed on the Father’s will, then could pride be subtly at work turning me into my own highest purpose?

3. A Father’s Blessing: Heaven responded to Christ’s obedience. This moment foreshadows the definitive opening of heaven to mankind’s salvation, accomplished through Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary. The heart of sacrifice is obedience, which is impossible without humility. Jesus humbled himself before John the Baptist. The Father saw his obedience and was pleased, praising him out loud: “This is my beloved Son.” To listen to him is to follow his example.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for the gift of yourself. Teach me to be humble. It is hard for me to put others ahead of myself, to take second place, and to let others win the praise and glory I crave for myself. Help me be humble and seek repentance from all sin in my life. I need your help to do your will. Strengthen and guide me in your service.

Resolution: I will do a hidden act of charity for someone. 

 

Baptism of the Lord—Feast

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” ~Mark 1:9–11

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a liturgical bridge that connects the Christmas season to Ordinary Time. During the Christmas season we pondered the Incarnation, Nativity, Presentation in the Temple, and Epiphany. Today, we see Jesus manifesting Himself to the world as He began His three years of public ministry.

Jesus begins His ministry through an act of deep solidarity with the fallen human race. John the Baptist had been preaching in the desert and offering a baptism of repentance. John’s baptism was not the same as our baptism today. Instead, it was only a sign of one’s willingness to turn away from sin and turn toward God. Jesus, of course, had nothing to repent of. He was sinless in every way. But that didn’t stop Him from freely choosing to receive the baptism of repentance. Why would He do that?

Simply put, Jesus chose to unite Himself with fallen humanity, taking upon Himself our own sins and suffering their consequences. He humbly allowed Himself to be identified as a sinner in need of repentance. This was done out of love for us and out of His longing to become one with us so that we could become one with Him.

By bowing His sacred head to receive the baptism of repentance, Jesus united Himself and His divinity to everyone who had already chosen to repent. And He gave power to every forthcoming act of repentance others would make, even until today. When we repent today, we meet Jesus in that same water of repentance.

It was not only the Eternal Son Who was present at that baptism of repentance, but the Father and the Holy Spirit as well. The Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove, and the Father’s Voice spoke to acknowledge His oneness with His Son. Therefore, every time we make a humble act of repentance, such as when we combine the crucifixion, the Trinity, and holy water upon entering a church and blessing ourselves, we not only meet our Lord but also receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and share more fully in our adoption as sons and daughters of the Father in Heaven.

As we commemorate Jesus’ baptism liturgically, we celebrate the fact that our Christian baptism was the beginning of this new unity with the Holy Trinity. But we also celebrate our oneness with God, which is renewed every time we make an interior act of repentance for our sins. If we fully understood what happens every time we acknowledge our sins and repent of them, we would never grow tired of repenting. Every time we acknowledge and repent of our sin, we meet Christ anew, receive a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and affirm and deepen our adoption by the Father in Heaven.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You came to me in my baptism and united me in my fallenness with You in Your divinity. I pray that I will continuously be aware of all that divides us and will never grow weary of repenting of my sin. I do repent once again, dear Lord. I beg for Your mercy and forgiveness and open myself more fully to You, Your Father, and the Holy Spirit. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I trust in You.

The Epiphany of The Lord Sunday Jan. 8, 2023

Epiphany Sunday, Year A.
My Homily for The Epiphany of The Lord Sunday Jan. 8, 2023

Today, we are celebrating Epiphany Sunday. This special Feast, normally celebrated on January 6th, commemorates the revealing of Jesus as the Christ to the Gentiles.
In the First Reading, the prophecy of Isaiah gave the people of Israel hope that the promised Messiah would soon rise among the people and that His glory would be seen by all. As God's chosen people, it was prophesied to the Jewish nation that they would be the light of the world and that the nations of the world would come to their light. The true wealth that the Jewish nation gained was that from their people, the Son of God was born in flesh and blood on earth. From their people, the Holy Catholic Church had its beginning. From their people, the Blessed Virgin Mary was created immaculate. And from their people, we have received the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament. Out of their people, as instruments of God, salvation came to the world through Jesus Christ. Endless are the riches that the Lord God Almighty has bestowed upon the Jewish nation.  Truly, the Jewish nation became a light in the world, drawing all nations towards the abundance of its riches.
Today, Isaiah concluded his prophecy with the words, "They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord." [Is. 60:6]  These words echoed the gifts that the three wise men from the East [Mt. 2:1-2, 9-11] brought to Jesus in adoration after following the shining star in the sky.
Today, the First Reading spoke of the joy of the Israelites. It spoke of Jesus Christ, the Light, [Lk. 2:32] who was given to the world through God's chosen people. It spoke of the three wise men who found and adored the Lord Jesus, the Light of the world.
In the letter to the Ephesians we heard today, Saint Paul said: "Surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humanity as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." [Eph. 3:2-3, 5-6]
When and under what circumstances did God reveal to the apostles that the Gentiles were called to become members of the Body of Christ? This answer is found in the Acts of the Apostles. When Saint Peter was called to Caesarea, he personally witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit descending upon the Gentiles. [Acts 11:15] Sometime later, when Saints Paul and Barnabas were preaching in the synagogue on the sabbath in Antioch, some of the Jews became jealous when they saw the large crowd that had gathered. Consequently, St. Paul and Barnabas said to them, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" [Acts 13:46-7]  That is how the Light of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, was revealed to the Gentiles, our ancestors.  In a way, we should always be grateful to the Jewish people of those days. Thanks to them, we sinful creatures rejoice because the gracious mercy of the Lord God was bestowed upon us.  Now, through our faith in Jesus Christ and the Sacrament of Baptism by water and Spirit, we are admitted into the Body of Christ as spiritual members of the growing Kingdom of God on earth.
Today's Gospel Reading relates to us the event of the three wise men who followed the star that led them to the Child Jesus.  They followed the brilliant star in the sky. To them, the light of the star was a symbol of hope, of joy and of peace.  To them, the star was small but a reflection of the fullness of the Light of the world that awaited them at the end of their journey.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, The Feast of Epiphany is a reflection of the Light. Through the Birth of Jesus, we see the arrival of the Light in the world. Through the Magi, we see the light of hope, of joy and of peace to come. Through the Baptism of Jesus, we see the beginning of the ministry of the Light in the world. Through the miracle at Cana, we see the Light of God manifesting His Supreme power over the element of water.  All these events are reminders to us that we too are called to be a light in the world. Being enlighten by the Light of God in our hearts, we are called to go forward and to share with others the Good News, our hope, our joy and our peace that the Light of Christ has bestowed upon us.
Let us reflect upon the Light of Christ that has come upon us. Let us assess the status of our Christian obligation towards Jesus Christ.  Are we shining in the world in the fullness of the light that Jesus has given us?  
And, if the need be. Let us correct what needs to be corrected so the fullness of our light may shine forth in all things for the glory of God.
Like the Magi, we too come to adore Jesus, our Lord.  And we fall on our knees as they fell on their knees, to hear the angel voices proclaiming the coming of the Lord into our present world and into our hearts this morning.  We must remember the coming of Jesus, is not a onetime only thing, he comes each morning to call us to continue our journey with him, following where he our star leads us by faith to where he takes us, ultimately taking us home.
 
Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Chúa Nhật Chủa Hiển Linh 2023
 Khi Đức Giê-su ra đời tại Bê-lem, miền Giu-đê, thời vua Hê-rô-đê trị vì, có mấy nhà chiêm tinh từ phương Đông đến Giê-ru-sa-lem, ²và hỏi : “Đức Vua dân Do-thái mới sinh, hiện ở đâu ? Chúng tôi đã thấy ngôi sao của Người xuất hiện bên phương Đông, nên chúng tôi đến bái lạy Người.” (Mt 2:1-2)
            Ba vị đạo sĩ (vua.?) rất có thể đến từ Ba Tư, Iran ngày nay. Họ là những người khoa học gia thường xuyên nghiên cứu về chiêm tinh qua các vì sao. Họ không phải là người Do Thái nhưng rất có thể đã biết niềm tin phổ biến của người Do Thái là sẽ xuất hiện một vị vua một đáng Mêsaia  để cứu họ.
            Những đạo sĩ này được Thiên Chúa mời gọi đến để gặp gỡ Đấng Cứu Rỗi của Thế giới. Điều thú vị là Thiên Chúa đã dùng những thứ rất quen thuộc với họ để làm công cụ cho ơn gọi của họ: các vì sao. Các Đạop Sĩ này Họ tin rằng qua một ngôi sao mới xuất hiện trên bầu trời, thi sẽ có một người có tầm quan trọng đã được sinh ra, sự ra đời này sẽ đi kèm sự xuất hiệ của một ngôi sao mới. Vì vậy, khi họ nhìn thấy ngôi sao mới, sáng và rực rỡ này, thì họ đâm ra tò mò và niềm hy vọng. Một trong những khía cạnh quan trọng nhất của câu chuyện này là họ đã phản hồi. Thiên Chúa kêu gọi những nhà Đạo sĩ này qua việc dùng hình ảnh một ngôi sao, và họ đã chọn đi theo dấu hiệu này, và họ đã bắt đầu một cuộc hành trình dài và gian khổ.
            Thiên Chúa thường sử dụng những việc làm quen thuộc nhất trong cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng ta để gửi đến chúng ta lời kêu gọi của Ngài. Ví dụ, chúng ta hãy nhớ lại là nhiều môn đệ của Chúa hay các Tông Đồ đều là người đánh cá, và Chúa Giê Su đã dung các công việc làm ăn thường ngày của họ để mời gọi họ theo Ngài và tiếp tục loan truyền Tin Mừng của Ngài đến với mọi nơi.  và rõ ràng là Ngài muốn làm cho họ trở thành “những tay đánh lưới người.” Ngài đặc biệt dùng phép lạ để giúp các môn đệ mới chọn của Ngài bắt được mẻ lưới nhiều cá để cho họ thấy rõ ràng rằng họ có một ơn gọi mới.
            Trong cuộc sống của chúng ta cũng thế, Chúa không ngừng kêu gọi chúng ta tìm kiếm Ngài và thờ phượng Ngài. Ngài sẽ  sử dụng một số phần công việc bình thường nhất trong cuộc sống của chúng ta để gửi đi tiếng mời gọi đó.
Hôm nay Chúa đã gọi chúng ta như thế nào? Bằng cách nào mà Ngài đã gửi đến cho chúng ta một ngôi sao lạ để giúp chúng ta tìm đến Chúa? Nhiều lần và nhiều cách,  Chúa đã đén và mời gọi chúng ta, nhưng  chúng ta đã phớt lờ tiếng Chúa mời gọi chúng ta. Chúng ta cần phải học hỏi từ những người Đạo sĩ Đông Phương này và siêng năng đáp ứng khi Ngài kêu gọi. Chúng ta không được ngần ngại và phải tìm cách chú ý hàng ngày đến những cách mà Chúa mời gọi chúng ta tin tưởng, phó thác và thờ phượng một cách chân thành và sâu sắc hơn.
Hôm nay, chúng ta hãy suy ngẫm về những lờimời gọi của Thiên Chúa trong cuộc sống của chúng ta. Chúng ta đang nghe Tiếng Chúa ? Chúng ta đang đáp trả lời Bgafi ? Bạn có sẵn sàng và sẵn sàng từ bỏ tất cả những thứ khác trong cuộc sống để phục vụ thánh ý của Ngài không? Chúng ta hãy tìm kiếm Chúa, chờ đợi Ngài và đáp ứng những yêu cầu của Ngài. Làm như vậy sẽ là những quyết định tốt nhất mà chung ta từng thực hiện.
Lạy Chúa, chúng con yêu mến Chúa và xin hứa với Chúa là chúng con sẽ sẵn sàng mở lòng chúng con để đón nhận bàn tay hướng dẫn của Chúa trong cuộc đời của chúng con. Xin Chúa giúp cho chúng con luôn biết chú ý đến những cách khác nhau mà Chúa thường gọi chúng con mỗi ngày. Và xin cho chúng con luôn hết lòng đáp lại tiếng gọi của Chúa. Lạy Chúa, chúng con tin vào Chúa.
 
Epiphany of the Lord Sunday
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” Matthew 2:1–2
The Magi were most likely from Persia, modern-day Iran. They were men who regularly engaged in a study of the stars. They were not Jewish but were most likely aware of the popular belief of the Jewish people that a king would be born who would save them.
These Magi were called by God to encounter the Savior of the World. Interestingly, God used something very familiar to them as an instrument of their calling: the stars. It was among their belief that when someone of great importance was born, this birth was accompanied by a new star. So when they saw this new, bright and brilliant star, they were filled with curiosity and hope. One of the most significant aspects of this story is that they responded. God called them through the use of a star, and they chose to follow this sign, embarking on a long and arduous journey.
God often uses those things most familiar to us that are part of our daily life to send forth His calling. Recall, for example, that many of the Apostles were fishermen, and Jesus used their occupation to call them, making them “fishers of men.” He especially used the miraculous catch of fish to clearly indicate to them that they had a new calling.
In our own lives, God is constantly calling us to seek Him out and worship Him. He will often use some of the most ordinary parts of our lives to send forth that calling. How is He calling you? In what way is He sending you a star to follow? Many times when God speaks, we ignore His voice. We must learn from these Magi and diligently respond when He calls. We must not hesitate and must seek to daily be attentive to the ways that God invites us to deeper trust, surrender and worship.
Reflect, today, upon God’s call in your life. Are you listening? Are you responding? Are you ready and willing to abandon all else in life so as to serve His holy will? Seek Him, wait on Him and respond. Doing so will be the best decision you ever make.
Lord, I love You and pray that I will be open to Your guiding hand in my life. May I always be attentive to the countless ways that You call to me each and every day. And may I always respond to You with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
The Epiphany of the Lord 2023
The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. The Magi saw His manifestation in the form of a star. The star led them through a long and perilous journey to Bethlehem in Judaea. Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter, Admirabile Signum, described them as ‘men of wealth, sages from afar, athirst for the infinite’. They presented the infant king with three symbolic gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. They went back home filled with joy of witnessing the manifestation of God.
King Herod on his part was deeply perturbed on hearing of the birth of a new king in Israel. The manifestation of Jesus Christ threatens his kingdom. He is ready to do anything to retain and sustain his royalty. He resolves to kill the infant king Jesus Christ. He is not touched by his peasant birth and the insignificance of Bethlehem in the countryside of Judea. He fails to understand the prophecy that the new king is to save Israel from sin. The messiah did not come to drag kingship with anyone but to save humanity from that which threatens even earthly kingship. King Herod displays how lack of humility and openness can deprive one of salvation.
The Magi went out of their comfort zones in order to be guided by the star to Bethlehem. They opened up to the reality of a more superior and salvific power in the cosmos. The men of wealth bowed to the source of wealth. Sages knelt before wisdom itself. A thirst for the infinite is fulfilled while beholding the sight of a child in the manger. Everyday is a manifestation of God. We need humility and openness to see life and hope in the manger.
Anthony Ekpunobi, CM