Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Tuần thứ Tư Mùa Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Sáu Tuần thứ Tư Mùa Thường Niên

Trong cuộc sống hiện tại của chúng ta hôm nay, đôi lúc chúng ta cảm thấy như có rất nhiều tiếng nói đang thì thầm trong tâm hồn, trong cuộc sống của chúng ta. Những tiếng đó có thể là những lời khuyên bảo của những người trong gia đình, bạn bè, đồng nghiệp, hay là những tiếng ồn ào của các loa phóng thanh của ban văn hóa địa phương, Hay là những tiếng lải nhải trong TV…. Tuy nhiên, để biết hay nhận ra được tiếng của Chúa Kitô đang thì thầm, tâm sự với chúng ta thì thật là rất khó.
            Trong bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, chúng ta nhận thấy là mặc dù Vua Hêrôđê nhận biết là thánh Gioan tẩy giả là một người tốt lành và thánh thiện. Hơn nữa, Thánh Gioan tẩy giả cũng đã hấp dẫn thu hút vua Hêrôđê bằng những bài giảng của ông. Tuy nhiên, vì ông là vua, ông ta đã vì lo sợ phải xấu hổ trước mặt quan khách của mình, và cũng chỉ vì một đứa con gái, một chút yếu lòng mà ông đã phải giết đi một người công chính, đáng kính như thánh Gioan tẩy Giả. Vua Herôdê đã cúi đầu sợ hãi trước những áp lực của xã hội, và cũng muốn tỏ cái uy quyền, cái Tôi của chính mình. Vì thế ông đã nghe và làm theo cái tiếng nói của sự háu danh, ham thắng, của sự sợ hãi và ích kỷ mà đã không còn nghe thấy được những tiếng của lẽ phải, của Thiên Chúa..
            Một cách để chúng ta có thể xác định được tiếng nói của Chúa Kitô trong tâm hồn và trong cuộc sống của chúng ta là khi chúng ta có được cảm giác an lành, bình tâm trong lòng hay trong tâm hồn của chúng ta, ngay cả những việc mà hầu như không phải là dễ dàng cho việc xử trí của chúng ta..
            Lạy Chúa, xin ban cho chúng con những ân sủng của Chúa Thánh Thần để chúng con có nhận ra tiếng nói của Chúa đang nói với chúng ta trong cuộc sống của chúng con và giúp chúng con có được can đảm để làm theo như thánh ý của Chúa.
 
REFLECTION Friday 4th Week in Ordinary Time
The life of David is quite remarkable. Lots of things happened to him and because of his choices. How we remember David depends a lot upon the events upon which we focus our lens. Do we remember him as a shepherd boy? Do we note his friendship with Jonathon? His victory with a sling and a stone over the mighty warrior Goliath? His refusal to kill King Saul when he had Saul at his mercy? His singing and dancing before the Lord? His adultery? The arranged death of Uriah? His mourning of Bathsheba’s child? The rebellion of his son Absalom and David's grief at his death? How do we choose to remember this complex man, King David?
            John the Baptist and King Herod are likewise complex characters. John seems to have been a person prone to the extreme and Herod a leader without a spine. But we really know so little about either of them. Really we've just snippets from which we have formed our opinions of them. Perhaps the lesson of the scriptures this day is to be careful about the judgments we make about Biblical characters or the people with whom we interact.
            We choose to honor David, to rue the cowardice of Herod, to delight in the dancing skill of Salome and to mourn the untimely death of John the Baptist. The Gospels offer us a window into snippets of the life and ministry of Jesus. Our task as disciples is to delve deeper and really get to know Jesus and become known to him.  Lord, be my wisdom.
 
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. Mark 6:20
Ideally, when the Gospel is preached and received by another, the effect is that the receiver is filled with joy, consolation and a desire to change. The Gospel is transforming for those who truly listen and respond with generosity. But what about those who do not respond with generosity? What effect does the Gospel have upon them? Our Gospel today gives us that answer.
The line above comes from the story of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist. The bad actors in this story are Herod, Herod’s illegitimate wife Herodias, and Herodias’ daughter (traditionally named Salome). John had been imprisoned by Herod because John told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” But what’s most interesting about this story is that, even in prison, Herod would listen to John preach. But instead of leading Herod to conversion, he was left “perplexed” by what John preached.
Being “perplexed” was not the only reaction to John’s preaching. Herodias’ reaction was one of hatred. She appeared to be stung to the heart by John’s condemnation of her “marriage” to Herod, and it was she who then orchestrated John’s beheading.
This Gospel, then, teaches us of two other common reactions to the Truth of the holy Gospel when it is preached. One is hatred and another is confusion (being perplexed). Obviously, hatred is far worse than simply being perplexed. But neither is the right reaction to the words of Truth.
What is your reaction to the full Gospel when it is preached? Are there aspects of the Gospel that leave you uneasy? Are there teachings of our Lord that confuse you or lead you to anger? First look within your own heart to determine if you struggle with having a similar reaction as did Herod and Herodias. And then consider how the world reacts to the Truth of the Gospel. We should not be surprised at all that we find many Herods and Herodiases alive today.
Reflect, today, upon any ways that you see the Gospel being rejected on one level or another. If you sense this within your own heart, then repent with all your might. If you see it elsewhere, do not allow the hostility to shake you or concern you. Keep your mind and heart upon the Truth and remain steadfast no matter the reaction you encounter.
My Lord of all Truth, Your Word and Your Word alone brings grace and salvation. Please give me the grace I need to always listen to Your Word and to respond generously with all my heart. May I repent when I am convicted by Your Word and may I wholeheartedly return to You. Give me courage when others reject Your Truth and wisdom to know how to share that Word with love. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Friday 4th Week in Ordinary Time 2025
Opening Prayer: Lord God, as I contemplate the martyrdom of John the Baptist, inspire me to be fearless in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel to all those I encounter. Do not let me put the light of Christ within me under a bushel basket. Move me to let the light shine forth in all I do and say today.
Encountering the Word of God
1. The Persecution of the Old Elijah: The passion and death of John the Baptist in the New Testament echoes the persecution of Elijah in the Old Testament. Ahab, the king of northern Israel, and his Queen Jezebel persecuted Elijah and sought to kill him. In the Gospel, Herod Antipas and his wife, Herodias, persecuted John the Baptist. Just as Jezebel tempted her weak-willed husband, Ahab, toward pagan religious practices, Herodias tempted her weak-willed husband, Herod, by having her daughter seductively dance for him. Just as Jezebel was the one who wanted to murder Elijah, Herodias was the one who wanted to murder John.
2. The Martyrdom of the New Elijah: Jezebel, did not succeed in killing Elijah, but the new Jezebel, Herodias, did succeed in her plot to have John, the New Elijah, beheaded. The reason why Mark tells the story of the martyrdom of John the Baptist while the Apostles are out on mission, is to anticipate the end of his Gospel which narrates the passion of Jesus and the sending out of the Apostles to proclaim the Gospel to the entire world. John’s death foreshadows the Jesus’ death. “With this parallel Mark suggests that John’s self-offering shares, in a hidden way, in the spiritual fruitfulness of the sacrifice of Christ” (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 118). John’s burial by his disciples also foreshadows the burial of Jesus by his disciples (Mark 15:46).
3. Closing Exhortations in the Letter to the Hebrews: As the author of the Letter to the Hebrews brings the letter or homily to a close, he gives practical exhortations to the community on living out Christian charity. He speaks of brotherly love and hospitality. He asks that those in prison be not forgotten. He points to being chaste in married life and not succumbing to the love of money. He asks that we pray for the leaders of the Christian community. We need to imitate their good example of professing faith in Jesus Christ, who is faithful and eternally unchanging in his divine nature, yesterday, today, and always. The Jesus whom our ancestors preached and staked their lives on is the same Jesus who is alive in the Church today: “He has not changed. He is the same all-powerful redeemer and Lord who ‘yesterday’ provided the all-sufficient atonement for our sins (Hebrews 1:3; 9:26) and ‘today’ is enthroned in heaven as God’s Son (Hebrews 1:5, 13; 5:5) and ‘forever’ lives to make intercession for us so we are able to overcome every adversity and temptation (Hebrews 2:18; 4:16; 7:25)” (Healy, Hebrews, 290). 
 Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. You are the great high priest, eternally faithful and eternally merciful. Bring me to share in your divine life and enjoy the fullness of your glory in the heavenly Kingdom.

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Năm Tuần thứ 4 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Năm Tuần thứ 4 Thường Niên
            Tin mừng hôm nay Chúa Giêsu đã truyền cho các môn đệ của Ngài để ra truyền giáo nhưng không được mang gì theo người ngoại trừ cây gậy để bảo vệ “sói” dọc đường, Chúa Giêsu muốn tập cho họ biết đặt niềm tin vào sự Quan Phòng của Thiên Chúa và sự hiện diện của Chúa Thánh Thần. Chúa Giêsu muốn họ ra đi làm việc trong một cách nhẹ nhàng, không bị lệ thuộc, bị gò bó về vật chất, lệ thuộc về cái ăn, cái mặc. Mục đích của họ là rao giảng Tin Mừng của Chúa và Nược Trời.
Chúa muốn tất cả chúng ta cũng nên phụ thuộc vào Thiên Chúa một cách hoàn toàn, Chúa muốn chúng ta tín thác mọi sự nơi Thiên Chúa, Có lẽ quan niệm này đã quá cực đoan với chúng ta trong thời buổi hôm nay, nhưng có lẽ chúng ta nhất định cần phải đạt niềm tin tuởng vào sự Quan Phòng của Thiên Chúa nhiều hơn như các môn đệ. Chúng ta không thể kiểm soát tất cả mọi thứ hoặc có thể chuẩn bị cho tất cả mọi biến cố có thể xảy ra, cho chúng ta và chúng ta không cần phải bận tâm về những thứ vật chất ấy.
            Chúng ta có thể đặt mình trong tay Chúa và bước đi trong niềm tự tin và hướng về một tương lai trước mặt để làm theo như Thánh Ý của Ngài.  Chúng ta hãy lên đường theo các thánh Tông Đồ rao giảng lời Chúa mỗi ngày với hành trang duy nhất và quý giá nhất trong tất cả đó là niềm tin trong tâm hồn của chúng ta.
            Lạy Chúa, Chúng con Tin  Tưởng nơi Chúa, và xin hãy giúp và ban sức mạnh cho Lòng Tin yếu kém của chúng con..
 
Reflection:
            When we go on a trip, we take everything that we think we will need. Often we take too much! Can you imagine going on a long trip with absolutely nothing? That is what Jesus commanded his disciples to do in that first mission. But they did have something — the Providence of God and the presence of the Spirit within them. Jesus wanted them to travel lightly and keep on the move, but most of all, to depend on God completely. This is probably too radical for most of us, but perhaps we can practice trusting in God’s Providence a bit more. We can’t control everything or prepare for all possible events, and we don’t need to do so.
            We can place ourselves in God’s hands and step confidently forward to do His will. Let us journey each day with the most precious baggage of all - the faith in our hearts. Lord, help me to trust.
 
Thursday 4th Week in Ordinary Time
In sending out his Apostles to preach the Gospel, Jesus did not give them a detailed picture of what to expect or detailed instructions how to deal with every possible situation that might arise. He gave them some fundamental instructions, especially the instruction to travel as poorly as possible. Along with this vocation to poverty, however, he also gave them a great power: authority over unclean spirits. Healing, including liberation from unclean spirits was a major part of Jesus own ministry.  This gift of power over unclean spirits, then, was a sign that everything they were to do was to be seen as part of his own mission. Involvement in that mission inevitably entailed an experience of poverty, for Jesus’ first work was to empty himself and come amongst us as a human being, born in poverty.
            Though Mark does not say it specifically, they were to proclaim the Kingdom of God. They were not, however to try to force anyone to believe, they were to move on though somehow disassociating themselves from those who would not receive them.
            Lord Jesus, in Your Church, the communion of saints, You have given us many gifts: faith, hope, love, prayer, wisdom and courage. Grant that we will always use Your gifts for the work of Your Kingdom and the good of Your people.
 
Thursday 4th Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. Mark 6:7–8
Why would Jesus instruct the Twelve to go forth to preach with authority but to take nothing with them on the journey? Most people who set out on a journey prepare ahead and make sure to pack what they need. Jesus’ instruction was not so much a lesson in relying upon others for basic needs as it was a lesson on reliance upon divine providence for their ministry.
The material world is good in and of itself. All creation is good. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with having possessions and using them for our good and for the good of those who have been entrusted to our care. But there are times when God wants us to rely more upon Him than upon ourselves. The story above is one of those situations.
By instructing the Twelve to go forth on their mission without bringing the basic necessities of life, Jesus was helping them to trust not only in His providence for those basic needs but also to trust that He would provide for them spiritually in their mission of preaching, teaching and healing. They were given great spiritual authority and responsibility and, for that reason, needed to rely upon the providence of God to a far greater extent than others. Thus, Jesus exhorts them to trust Him regarding their basic needs so that they will also be disposed to trust Him on this new spiritual mission.
The same is true in our lives. When God entrusts us with a mission to share the Gospel with another, He will often do so in a way that requires great trust on our part. He will send us forth “empty-handed,” so to speak, so that we will learn to rely upon His gentle guidance. Sharing the Gospel with another is an incredible privilege, and we must realize that we will be successful only if we rely wholeheartedly upon the providence of God.
Reflect, today, upon those to whom you sense God wants you to reach out to with the Gospel. How do you do this? The answer is quite simple. You do so only by relying upon the providence of God. Step out in faith, listen to His guiding voice every step of the way, and know that His providence is the only way that the Gospel message will be effectively shared.
My trustworthy Lord, I accept Your call to go forth and to share Your love and mercy with others. Help me to always rely upon You and Your providence for my mission in life. Use me as You will and help me to trust in Your guiding hand for the upbuilding of Your glorious Kingdom on earth. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Thursday 4th Week in Ordinary Time 2025
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I thank you today for your healing touch and the teachings of your Church. You have brought me into new life through the waters of Baptism and mercifully offer to restore me to divine life when I sin against you. 
Encountering the Word of God
1. Sharing in Divine Authority: In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus has been manifesting his divine authority to his apostles. The four mighty works all show that Jesus has the power to conquer death and free us from the fear of death. Jesus now communicates his authority to the Twelve, who were appointed the leaders of the New Israel, the priests of the New Temple, and the officers of the New Kingdom of God. They were sent out with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, sandals, and a staff, which functioned also as a symbol of the authority they received from the Lord (Exodus 4:20). In the age of the Church, the apostles will appoint bishops, priests, and deacons who will minister to God’s people in various ways and be granted varying levels of authority. Bishops are ordained to teach, sanctify, and govern as the shepherds and overseers of God’s people (CCC, 1555-1561). Priests minister as the coworkers of the bishops (CCC, 1562-1568). Deacons are ordained for service, especially the service of charity (CCC, 1569-1571).
2. Driving Out Demons and Anointing with Oil: The Twelve apostles were sent out in pairs to preach in the towns of Galilee. Their message was the same as that of John the Baptist and that of Jesus: repentance (metanoia). They called the people to turn away from a life of sin and to turn toward God in a complete change of heart and mind. “The fullness of the Christian gospel, the victory of the crucified and risen Lord, can be proclaimed only after the resurrection” (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 117). Their simple message of repentance will be accompanied by powerful signs of healing and exorcism that confirm the truth of their message. Both signs will be brought to their fullness in the age of the Church. The Sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation are anticipated in the driving out of demons. The Sacrament of Anointing is anticipated in the curing of the sick with oil.
3. Mount Sinai vs. Mount Zion: In the First Reading, we encounter a contrast between the Old Covenant and the New. This contrast is symbolized by two mountains: “Sinai, the forbidding mountain in the wilderness where the law was given through Moses, and Zion, the joyful mountain of the heavenly city where God dwells in the midst of his people” (Healy, Hebrews, 272). The author of the Letter to the Hebrews alludes to Sinai without mentioning its name. In this way, he refers to the old covenant with its earthly tabernacle, its Levitical priesthood, and its system of animal sacrifices. By way of the contrast, the letter emphasizes the inferior status of the former age of salvation history that Christians “have not approached” (Hebrews 12:18) and the glorious heavenly reality that Christians “have approached” (Hebrews 12:22) (see Healy, Hebrews, 272-273). We are near to God as a result of our conversion to Christ through faith and Baptism.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I want to hear your call to repentance each day. Do not let the noise of this world draw my attention away from your saving Word.
 
Thursday 4th Week in Ordinary Time 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I come before you today attentive to your life-giving Word. I am called to turn from the things of this passing world and to look toward the things of heaven. The things of this world cannot offer me lasting happiness. In you alone, I find the eternal happiness I desire and seek.
Encountering the Word of God
1. David Instructs Solomon: In the First Reading, King David gives his last will and testament to his son Solomon. David tells him to follow the mandates of the Lord as they are written in the Law of Moses. David also directs Solomon to punish David’s enemies and reward David’s loyal supporters (1 Kings 2:5-9). In his testament, David recalls the covenant oath that the Lord made about his kingdom enduring forever. The Lord God promised that if David’s royal sons were faithful, they would experience the blessings of the covenant. If they were unfaithful – and many of them were – they would trigger the curses of the covenant and be chastised.
2. The Law of Moses and the Kings of Israel: The Law of Moses was very clear about what things the kings of Israel should avoid. These prohibitions included amassing great wealth, having many wives, and stockpiling weapons of war (Deuteronomy 17:16-17). They were commands to resist disordered temptations and desires for possessions, pleasure, and power. While Solomon sought to be a wise ruler in his youth, his heart became corrupted over time, and he violated all three of the royal prohibitions of the Law of Moses greatly (1 Kings 10:14-11:13).
3. Jesus, the New David, Instructs the Twelve: Just as David instructed Solomon about how to reign, so also Jesus, the Son of David, instructed the future pastors of his Church on how they were to govern. Jesus granted authority to the Twelve and this is symbolized in the walking stick or staff they are to carry. Unlike Solomon, who relied on the security of gold, the Apostles are to move about among the towns and villages of Galilee without money or food and rely on God’s providence and care and the generosity of those they serve. Unlike Solomon who began to worship false gods and build sanctuaries for demons like Chemosh and Molech (2 Kings 11:7), the Twelve are to drive out many demons in their ministry. Unlike Solomon, who consolidated his kingdom by gathering chariots and warhorses, the Kingdom of God the Apostles preach is one of trusting in God, being healed in body and spirit, and repenting from sin. One day, after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Apostles will be sent out into the whole world and be given the authority to forgive sins in Jesus’ name.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are my king and my God. You have the words of everlasting life. The story of Solomon is tragic. He had a wise and understanding heart in his youth but was foolish in his old age. I do not want my life to end in tragedy. Guide my heart to love you more each day, to avoid the temptations of this world, and to be a light to all those I meet today.
Resolution: How many times have we bought something new and thrown out the instructions before reading them? Sometimes we are impatient to get started and try to figure it out on our own. Because of this, we sometimes end up making mistakes or misusing whatever we bought or even breaking it rendering it useless. Similarly, the instructions that God gives us through his Word are not to be discounted or set aside. They are not arbitrary commandments or divine whims that restrict our freedom. Rather, they are the path of love that leads us to true happiness and ultimate fulfillment! What commandments of the Lord do I ignore or struggle to follow? What commandments am I following and what effect does this have in my life?
Meditation: Thursday 4th Week in Ordinary Time
What kind of authority and power does the Lord want you to exercise on his behalf? Jesus gave his apostles both the power and the authority to speak and to act in his name. He commanded them to do the works which he did – to heal the sick. to cast out evil spirits, and to speak the word of God – the good news of the gospel which they received from Jesus. When Jesus spoke of power and authority he did something unheard of. He wedded power and authority with self-sacrificing love and humility. The "world" and the "flesh" seek power for selfish gain. Jesus teaches us to use it for the good of our neighbor.
Why does Jesus tell the apostles to "travel light" with little or no provision? "Poverty of spirit" frees us from greed and preoccupation with our possessions and makes ample room for God's provision. The Lord wants his disciples to be dependent on him and not on themselves. He wills to work in and through each of us for his glory. Are you ready to use the spiritual authority and power which God wishes you to exercise on his behalf? The Lord entrusts us with his gifts and talents. Are you eager to place yourself at his service, to do whatever he bids you, and to witness his truth and saving power to whomever he sends you?
"Lord Jesus, make me a channel of your healing power and merciful love that others may find abundant life and freedom in you. Free me from all other attachments that I may joyfully pursue the treasure of your heavenly kingdom. May I witness the joy of the gospel both in word and deed."

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Tư tuần thứ 4 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng thứ Tư tuần thứ 4 Thường Niên
Con người chúng ta luôn nhận biết sự liên hệ giữa nhân và quả: nếu không có nguyên nhân thì chắ sẽ không bao có hậu quả. Mặc dù thế nhưng đôi lúc chúng ta không thể hiểu được nguyên nhân. Kinh thánh được viết qua nhiều thời đại, khi con người vẫn còn cái nhìn về thế giới với những giải thích về khoa học rất đơn giản khi giải về nguyên nhân của những dữ kiện.đã xảy ra trong thế giới
Lấy câu chuyện về cuộc kiểm tra dân số của vua David nếu hiểu theo nghĩa chúng ta nghĩ là Thiên Chúa có vẻ đã quá tàn nhẫn trong việc trừng phạt dân chúng chỉ vì việc kiểm tra dân số của Vua David. Để hiểu được câu chuyện này theo đúng nghĩa, chúng ta phải vượt qua tất cả các chi tiết trong bài học này.
Nói một cách khách quan thì vấn đề hành chính trong việc kiểm tra dân số chỉ rất đơn giản không phải là việc làm nên tội.  Tuy nhiên, khi Joab báo cáo số người nam "thích ứng để phục vụ trong quân đội", thì vua David dường như đã nhận ra rằng việc tìm biết được sức mạnh của quân đội là một việc làm tự cao và coi thường việc đặt hết sự tin tưởng của mình vào Thiên Chúa và vì vậy ông ăn năn, hối hận về những iệc làm của mình . Ông ta cần nên phải nghĩ đến những hậu quả của những việc làm của mình.
Trong việc Vua David chọn lực một trong ba sự lựa chọn, Bài đọc nà đã dạy cho tắt cả chúng ta biết là Thiên Chúa  là người luôn biết xót thương và đối xử với chúng ta một cách tử tế hơn là những người đồng loại của chúng ta.
Lạy Chúa Cha ở trên trời, xin ban cho chúng con những ân sủng của sự khôn ngoan để giúp chúng con luôn luôn biết nghĩ đến hậu quả của những việc làm và những hành động của chúng con trước chúng con bắt đầu hành động.
Wednesday 4^th Ordinary Time
We human beings have always realized that there is a relationship between cause and effect: there is no effect without a cause, even though the cause may not be totally intelligible to us. The Bible was composed during ages when human beings still had a very pre-scientific view of the world and produced rather simplistic explanations of the cause of events. Taking the story of David’s census too literally will make God seem cruel in punishing the people merely because of David’s census. To understand a story like this we must get beyond the details to the teaching. Objectively speaking a mere administrative matter like holding a census would not be a grave sin. However, when Joab reported the number of men “fit for military service”, David seems to have realized that knowing the strength of his army was a matter of pride and a failure to put all his trust in God and so he immediately regretted his action. He should have thought of the consequences of his action.
In having David choose between three options, the writer wishes mostly to teach that God is most merciful and deals with us in a kindlier way than our fellow human beings do.
Father in Heaven, grant us the grace of prudence that we will always think of the consequences of our actions before we act.
 
Wednesday 4^th Ordinary Time
“Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Mark 6:3
After traveling throughout the countryside performing miracles, teaching the crowds and gaining many followers, Jesus returned to Nazareth where He grew up. Perhaps His disciples were excited to return with Jesus to His native place, thinking that His own townspeople would be overjoyed to see Jesus again because of the many stories of His miracles and authoritative teaching. But the disciples were soon to have quite a surprise.
After arriving in Nazareth, Jesus entered the Synagogue to teach, and He taught with an authority and wisdom that confounded the locals. They said among themselves, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him?” They were confused because they knew Jesus. He was the local carpenter who worked for years with His father who was a carpenter. He was Mary’s son, and they knew His other relatives by name.
The primary difficulty Jesus’ townspeople had was their familiarity with Jesus. They knew Him. They knew where He lived. They knew Him as He grew up. They knew His family. They knew all about Him. Therefore, they wondered how Jesus could be anything special. How could He now teach with authority? How could He now do miracles? Thus, the townspeople were astonished, and they allowed that astonishment to turn into doubt, judgment and criticism.
The same temptation is something we all deal with more than we may realize. It is often easier to admire a stranger from afar than one whom we know well. When we hear of someone for the first time who is doing something admirable, it’s easy to join in that admiration. But when we hear good news about someone we know well, we can easily be tempted to jealousy or envy and to be skeptical and even critical. But the truth is that every saint has a family. And every family potentially has brothers and sisters, cousins and other relatives through whom God will do great things. This should not surprise us—it should inspire us! And we should rejoice when those close to us and with whom we are familiar are used powerfully by our good God.
Reflect, today, upon those whom you are familiar with in life, especially your own family. Examine whether or not you struggle with an ability to see beyond the surface and accept that God dwells within everyone. We must constantly seek to discover the presence of God all around us, especially in the lives of those whom we know very well.
My ever-present Lord, thank You for the countless ways in which You are present in the lives of those all around me. Give me the grace to see You and to love You in the lives of those closest to me. As I discover Your glorious presence in their lives, fill me with deep gratitude and help me to acknowledge Your love that comes forth from their lives. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Wednesday 4^th Ordinary Time 2025
Opening Prayer: Lord God, I hope that my lack of faith or weak faith never become obstacles to you acting in my life. Strength my faith and grant me the wisdom of your Word and the charity of your Spirit.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Jesus’ Four Cousins: Who are the “brothers of Jesus”? The Gospels of Mark and Matthew identify James and Joseph, here mentioned, as the sons of “the other Mary” (see Mark 15:37, 40-41, 47; 16:1; Matthew 27:55-56, 59-61; Luke 24:10). After the death of Jesus, James eventually became the leader of the Church in Jerusalem and was known as “James, the Lord’s brother” (Galatians 1:19). The Gospel of John refers to “the other Mary” as “Mary, the wife of Clopas.” Clopas is identified by tradition as the brother of Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This means then that the so-called four “brothers” of Jesus are not his blood brothers, but rather his close relatives. They are his cousins and are the children of Mary and Clopas. Two of these four cousins, James and Simon, became the first bishops of Jerusalem. Eusebius writes: “After James the Just had suffered martyrdom [in A.D. 62] for the same reason as the Lord, Simon, his cousin, the son of Clopas, was appointed bishop, whom they all proposed because he was another cousin of the Lord.” Like his brother James, Simon suffered martyrdom during the reign of the Emperor Trajan.
2. The Lack of Faith: The purpose of the story of the lack of faith in Nazareth is to show that while Jesus’ divine power and mercy are unlimited, people can be hindered from experiencing his power and mercy by their refusal to believe in him (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 111). At first, the people of Nazareth were impressed by Jesus’ wisdom and mighty deeds. But their initial awe and wonder soon turn to stumbling and being scandalized by Jesus. The idea that a simple, hometown carpenter could inaugurate the kingdom of God was scandalous to them. They were too attached to their idea about how God acts, and this became an obstacle to professing faith in Jesus. When Jesus sends out his apostles, they will encounter people who will welcome them in faith and also those who will reject them just because they were simple fishermen and even sinful tax collectors.
3. Endure your Trials as Discipline: The Letter to the Hebrews teaches us that suffering is an unavoidable and indispensable part of Christian life. The author invites us to contemplate and understand our sufferings as discipline coming from our loving Father, who, by permitting us, his children, to suffer and endure trial, is preparing us to share in his divine glory. Jesus was made perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10). “It was Jesus’ filial trust and obedience in the face of unbearable suffering that refined his human nature to infinite perfection. Now Hebrews shows more concretely how Jesus’ perfection relates to us.” (Healy, Hebrews, 262). Jesus leads us and, when we are united to him, brings us to share in God’s glory. God’s fatherly discipline perfected his Son’s human nature, and, in like manner, transforms us into faithful, obedient sons and daughters. In response to God’s discipline, we should neither disdain it nor lose heart. We should highly value our sufferings because they are a sign that God loves us: “For whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges” (Hebrews 12:6). “God allows suffering because he deeply cares about his children growing to full maturity” (Healy, Hebrews, 263). We are to endure our sufferings and trials as discipline, knowing that God is using them to perfect us in this life and prepare us for the glory of divine life that awaits us.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you suffered and were perfected in your human nature through your loving obedience. Help me to endure the suffering that comes my way and be victorious in times of temptation and trial.
 
Wednesday 4^th Ordinary Time 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord, your servant David was not perfect, but he is a model of repentance for me. When confronted with his sin and its consequences, he humbled himself and begged for mercy. He recognized the depths of his sin but also the depths of your love. Help me to see where I have failed and where I need your healing mercy.
 Encountering the Word of God
 1. The Sin of David’s Military Census: David wanted to know how strong his military was and asked Joab to take a military census. The Bible tells us that God was testing David and permitted Satan to tempt David (1 Chronicles 21:1). The census was sinful because it showed that David was placing his trust in military strength rather than in God. David’s sin of counting his soldiers has many parallels with his sin with Bathsheba. For example, David uses Joab in both to carry out his command. In both, many innocent people are killed. In both, David expresses his penance by prostrating himself on the ground. In both, David repents and simply says: “I have sinned.” The pestilence triggered by David’s military census killed 70,000 men. The punishment fits the crime. David foolishly trusted in military might and the number of his soldiers. The pestilence reminded David how weak human beings are compared to the awesome power of God.
 2. David and the Petition for Divine Mercy. When David sees the angel approaching Jerusalem, he recognizes that he, as the shepherd, has sinned and that the people, like sheep, should be spared. He was willing to offer himself on behalf of the people. Ultimately, David showed that he was a man who trusted in God’s mercy. He planned to offer sacrifice on the site designated by God. The threshing floor that David bought would one day become the site of the Temple of Solomon, where millions of lambs would be offered in sacrifice and where one day, outside the walls of Jerusalem, Jesus, the Lamb of God, would be sacrificed for our sins.
 3. Jesus’ Family: When Jesus returned to Nazareth, his native place, he taught in the local synagogue and astonished the people with his teaching. Unfortunately, the people were scandalized by Jesus and did not put faith in him. They asked: How could a simple carpenter like Jesus inaugurate the promised Kingdom of God and do these wondrous signs? When speaking about Jesus’ extended family, Mark lists four of Jesus’ cousins. Mark and Matthew both indicate that James and Joses are the sons of a different Mary (see Mark 15:40-47; Matthew 27:55-56; 59-61). The “other Mary” was most likely the wife of Clopas, who was the brother of Joseph, the husband of Mary. We know that James, the Lord's cousin, acted as the first bishop of Jerusalem (Acts 15:13; Acts 21:18). According to Hegesippus, after James was martyred by the Pharisees between A.D. 63-69, James’ brother Simon, another cousin of Jesus and son of Clopas, was appointed the second bishop of Jerusalem. Tradition holds that Simon led the Christians of Jerusalem to Pella before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Being a member of Jesus’ extended family brought persecution rather than privilege.
 Conversing with Christ: Lord, you brought the members of your earthly family into the family of the Church. I too am a member of that family. You have done wondrous things for me. I pledge to heed your Word and fulfill the Father’s will today.
 Resolution: We are challenged daily to place our trust in God rather than earthly things. Each day we have an opportunity to renew our faith in God, grow in our faith, and entrust our cares to the Lord. We can be confident that God directs all human history and exercises his providential care over his creation. Despite my shortcomings, sins, and failures, God continues to offer me his merciful love. Where do I need to grow in my trust in God today?
 
Wednesday 4th Week in Ordinary Time
            King David decided to hold a census — a counting — of his people. What was so unusual? Don’t most countries today do the same? But it made God angry, and God delivered a stern rebuke and harsh punishment. Numbering the people was usually done in order to squeeze more taxes from them or to grab them for military service. David’s act was an indication that he didn't entirely trust God to be generous enough with him. Greed and a lust for control over others had taken hold of him.
            We too fail in similar but not so spectacular ways. When we try to impose our will on others or on situations, often it is a sign that we are fearful and do not really trust God to give us what we need. What are the ways in which we ‘count the people’ or try to squeeze others for our own benefit? Sometimes it is difficult to be respected by family, friends, and those with whom we have grown up. They know us too well; they know our quirks and weaknesses and have seen us at our worst as well as our best. Those who do not know us so well can have a very different and much more positive view of us.
            The people of Jesus’ hometown could not get past outward appearances and past memories of Jesus.
They remained deaf to his message and blind to his deeds. Even he was not able to do much in the face of so much unbelief. Perhaps we do the same thing — we label people and do not look beyond the outward aspects of their personality.  Lord, help me to see others in a new light.