Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Năm Tuần thứ 14 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Năm Tuần thứ 14 Thường Niên
Những giá trị mà Chúa Giêsu đã muốn đưa ra cho chúng ta trong Tin Mừng hôm nay là giá trị của sự đơn giản, sự khó nghèo như Chúa đã dạy cho các Tông đồ khi trên đường truyền giáo, hành trang lên đường không nên có gì, và cũng chẳng cần gì, vì Chúa muốn tập cho các môn đệ của Ngài biết sống một cuộc sống đơn giản, biết Tin Tưởng. Hay nói cách khác, đây là giá trị của việc không nên lệ thuộc quá nhiều vào của cải vật chất, vì những thứ này có thể cản ngăn bước tiến của chúng ta tới gần Thiên Chúa và tới gần những người xung quanh của chúng ta trong việc phục vụ như Chúa muốn nơi chúng ta. Hãy phó thác và tin tưởng vào sự quan phòng của Thiên Chúa
            Những cách sống như nào mà sẽ chúng ta sẽ phải sống để đạt được cái giá trị này? Những kế hoạch và cách sống mà đã được Thiên Chúa đề xuất cho chúng ta chắc chắn sẽ còn không hợp lý, hợp tình với thế giới vật chất mà chúng ta đang sống hôm nay, vì nó chẳng còn có ý nghĩa gì cả với cuộc hiện đại ngày nay!. Hãy tưởng tượng một linh mục đi bộ hay cỡi một con lừa để leo núi, vượt sông trên vài chục cây số để thăm kẻ liệt hay làm lễ trong vùng sâu, vùng xa  thay  vì lái xe hơi hay cỡi xe máy. Vì vậy, khi Chúa Giêsu dạy chúng ta hãy lên đường đừng mang gì theo người cũng cuộc như hành trình trong suốt cuộc đời của  chúng ta , Ngài không phải là muốn nói với chúng ta là chúng ta phải sống nghèo thật nghèo, không cần xe để làm phương tiện, không cần tiền bạc. Tuy nhiên, Ngài muốn nói với chúng ta là không nên để cho những thứ đố vật chật và hàng xa sĩ phẩm làm loà đôi mắt của chúng ta, làm cho chúng ta quên sự phụ thuộc vào Thiên Chúa, đừng nên cứng lòng, và ich kỷ, bủn xỉn trong việc giúp đỡ cho người nghèo. Chúa Giêsu đang thúc giục chúng ta không nên ích kỷ, hà tiện với những gì chúng ta đang có để chúng ta không bao giờ có thể  trở nên vô cảm đối với những sự bất công và áp bức đang diễn ra hàng ngày trong cuộc sống chung quanh chúng ta.
            Lạy Chúa Giêsu, xưa Chúa đã dậy các tông đồ, biết sống đơn sơ, giản dị trong sự khó nghèo, trong sự vâng phục và trong sự phó thác và Tin tưởng vào quyền năng và quan phòng của Chúa xin giúp chúng con có can đảm để từ bỏ những lối sống vật chất, đua đòi hôm nay và biết đạt niếm tin và phó thác vào sự quan phòng của Chúa.
 
REFLECTION
The value that Jesus holds out to us in today's gospel is the value of
The value that Jesus holds out to us in today's gospel is the value of  travelling lightly through life by living more simply. Or to put it another way, it is the value of not making too much of material things so that they may not get in the way of our reaching out to God in trust or to our neighbor in service.
Now what strategies would we use to achieve this value? The strategies suggested by our Lord certainly do not make sense in today's modern world. Imagine a businessman walking a long distance from his house to a business meeting with a bundle of notes under his arm instead of going by car and carrying his notes in a briefcase. So when Jesus instructs us to travel lightly as we journey through life, he is not telling us that we have  to get rid of our cars, empty our freezers, clean out our closets or cut up our credit cards. But he is telling us not to let our material goods make us forget our dependence on God or harden our hearts to the poor. He is urging us not to become selfish with what we have so that we may not become insensitive to the injustice and oppression that surrounds us.We travel the safest if we travel the lightest. We gain more by giving than by getting.
 
Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
“Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” Matthew 10:14–15
Recall how Jesus harshly condemned the Pharisees for their hardness of heart. In Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 23, Jesus issues seven “woe to you” condemnations of these Pharisees for being hypocrites and blind guides. These condemnations were acts of love on Jesus’ part, in that they had the goal of calling them to conversion. Similarly, in today’s Gospel, Jesus gives instructions to His Twelve about what they are to do if they preach the Gospel in a town and are rejected. They are to “shake the dust” from their feet.
This instruction was given within the context of Jesus sending the Twelve to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” with the commission of preaching the Gospel. At that time, they were to go to those who had already been entrusted with the message of the Law of Moses and the prophets but were to now proclaim that the Kingdom of God has arrived. Jesus was the promised Messiah, and He was now here. And for those of the house of Israel who reject Jesus, they were to be condemned by this prophetic act of the wiping of the dust of their town from the Apostles’ feet.
At first, this can seem somewhat harsh. One can think that patience, ongoing discussions, gentleness and the like would be more effective. And though that may be the case in many of our experiences today, the fact remains that Jesus gave the Twelve this command.
Just like the condemnation of the Pharisees, this prophetic action of wiping the dust from their feet was an act of love. Certainly, the Apostles were not to do this out of an irrational anger. They were not to do so because their pride was wounded by rejection or because of their disdain for these people. Rather, the Apostles were to do so as a way of showing the consequences of the townspeople’s actions. When these towns of the chosen people rejected the promised Messiah, they needed to understand the consequences. They needed to know that by rejecting the messengers, they were rejecting the saving grace of the Gospel.
First of all, it’s important to consider those about whom Jesus was speaking. He was speaking about those who “will not receive” nor even “listen” to the message of the Gospel. These are those who have fully rejected God and His saving message. They, by their free choice, have separated themselves from God and His holy Gospel. They are stubborn, obstinate and hard of heart. Thus, it is in this most extreme case, of being completely closed to the Gospel, that Jesus instructs His Apostles to leave with this prophetic act. Perhaps upon seeing this done, some people would experience a certain sense of loss. Perhaps some would realize they made a mistake. Perhaps some would experience a holy sense of guilt and would eventually soften their hearts.
This teaching of Jesus should also open your eyes. How fully do you receive and listen to the message of the Gospel? How attentive are you to the saving proclamation of God’s Kingdom? To the extent that you are open, the floodgates of God’s mercy flows forth. But to the extent that you are not, the experience of loss is encountered.
Reflect, today, upon your being present in one of these towns. Consider the many ways that you have been closed to all that God wants to speak to you. Open your heart wide, listen with the utmost attentiveness, be humble before the message of the Gospel and be ready to receive it and to change your life as you do. Commit to being a member of the Kingdom of God so that all that God speaks to you will have a transforming effect upon your life.
My compassionate Lord, Your firmness and chastisements are an act of Your utmost mercy for those who are hard of heart. Please soften my heart, dear Lord, and when I am stubborn and closed, please rebuke me in Your great love so that I will always turn back to You and Your saving message with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Thursday 14^th Ordinary Time 2024
Opening Prayer: Lord God, you are love itself. This is a mystery that far surpasses my understanding. Each day, I hope to be immersed a little more into the depths of your love. You love the Son with an eternal love and draw me into that communion of love with your Spirit.
Encountering the Word of God
1. Hosea’s Images: Throughout his book, the prophet Hosea used the image of a husband and wife to speak about God’s relationship to Israel. Although God was faithful to Israel and sent prophets to the people to bring them back, Israel was unfaithful to God, worshiped foreign gods, and rejected both God’s law, communicated through Moses, and God’s word, communicated through the prophets. Now, Hosea employs the image of a loving parent toward their child to affirm that, through the covenant, God will offer to Israel the gift of sonship. While the image of a husband and wife stresses the mutual relationship of faithful, compassionate love, and mutual responsibility, the image of a parent and child stresses the gratuitous and merciful actions of God toward Israel: he taught Israel how to walk, he took Israel into his arms, he heals Israel. God even stoops down to feed his child. These actions are ultimately brought to fulfillment in Jesus Christ: he teaches his apostles and disciples to walk in the light, he takes them into his arms like sheep and little children, and he heals them physically and spiritually. Through the Incarnation, God stoops down in an unheard-of way: he comes to his people and brings them the New Manna of the Eucharist.
2. God’s Just and Merciful Love: Today’s First Reading also highlights a difference between the prophets Hosea and Amos. Last week we heard God’s judgment, which is unremitting in Amos. Judgment is balanced this week in Hosea by a message of compassion and mercy (Leclerc, Introduction to the Prophets, 153). We learn that God’s heart is moved by pity and instead of destroying Israel for continually breaking the covenant, God promises to save Israel from the flames. The Psalm humbly asks God to look down from heaven, from his heavenly throne, and take care of Israel, which is likened to a vine that needs protection. All three images (husband and wife; parent and child; vine-dresser and vine) tell us something about God’s love: his love is faithful and compassionate; his love is gracious, gratuitous, and merciful; his love gives life, protects, and saves.
3. The Missionary Sermon: In the Gospel, Jesus continues his second great discourse in the Gospel of Matthew, called the missionary sermon. After the twelve were appointed as Jesus’ Apostles, they were sent out to preach the core of Jesus’ message: “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” By asking the Apostles to travel without money, a second tunic, sandals, or walking stick, Jesus is asking them to place their trust in God and testify, through their actions, to the Kingdom: “By traveling in such simplicity, they will be a prophetic sign bearing witness to Jesus’ teaching that the heavenly Father will provide for those who seek first the kingdom and trust in him” (Mitch and Sri, The Gospel of Matthew, 144). The apostles will encounter both those who welcome them with hospitality and those who reject the proclamation of the kingdom. Those who welcome Jesus and his disciples receive the gift of peace; those who reject Jesus and his disciples will be judged more severely than the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. 
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you have done marvelous and wondrous things. There is a beautiful simplicity in all that you do. Instead of doing everything yourself, you entrusted your disciples, including me, with a mission and gave clear instructions. Help me to hear your instruction anew and conform my preaching of the Gospel to your Word.
Living the Word of God: How do I relate to God? Is God primarily my judge, my friend, my Lord, my bridegroom, or my Father? What experiences in my life have shaped this relationship?
 
Thursday 14^th Ordinary Time 2023
Opening Prayer: Lord, I thank you for this moment of prayer to quiet my soul and listen to your voice. Enlighten my faith, hope, and charity, and help me remember that you give me the grace of true prayer. Grant me the grace of seeing my Christian faith as a gift, and help me not to take this gift for granted.
Encountering Christ:
1. “Without Cost You Are to Give”: Something I have encountered during the New York Street Missions is that people are hesitant to take the rosaries that missionaries offer, lest they be duped into buying them. We strive to tell people that the rosaries are a gift from the Church to them. In today’s Gospel, Jesus sent the Apostles to preach the Good News for free. The Gospel is God’s gift to mankind, made manifest in Jesus Christ. Do I have a sense of appreciation for this gift, or do I take Christ’s message and the Kingdom for granted?
2. “No Sack for the Journey”: The Apostles were told to take nothing on their first missionary journey. Why would that be? Jesus wanted them to learn what relying on God’s Providence means. God doesn’t typically drop out of the sky or write letters to tell us what he wants us to do. Nor does he give us extraordinary means to accomplish his will. He prefers to communicate through the people in our lives or our circumstances. How do I see God speaking to me and equipping me for the mission I have been given?
3. “The Kingdom of Heaven Is at Hand”: This first mission was like a “practice run” for the Great Commission, which we find at the end of the Gospel of Matthew: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). Christ gave them their marching orders and showed them where to go. Similarly, he shows us that our mission starts now, not later. “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” not just when we evangelize at street missions or preach to large groups, but when we gather at the water cooler or go to a baseball game with a couple of friends. Here I am Lord, send me!
Conversing with Christ: Lord, the harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. Thank you for granting me a missionary vocation to proclaim your Kingdom to all the world. I know I am weak and that faith is a precious gift, but I trust in your mercy that I may be a light for others. Send me, Lord, to those who need your light!
Resolution: Lord, today, by your grace, I will spend a moment before I go to bed to write down three things about my faith for which I am thankful.
 
Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Năm Tuần thứ 14 Thường Niên
Nước Thiên đàng hay triều đại của Thiên Chúa là gì? Đó là một xã hội của những người biết phục tùng Thiên Chúa và tự do tôn vinh Thiên Chúa là Chúa và Vua của nhân loại. Trong lời cầu nguyện mà Chúa Giêsu đã đạy chúng ta trong kinh lạy cha là, chúng ta nguyện xin cho danh Chúa được vinh danh, và luôn ngự trị mãi mãi trong cuộc đời và trong thế giới của chúng ta: Chúng ta cầu xin cho vương quốc của Thiên Chúađến ngự trị giữ thế gian và ý muốn của Chúa luôn luôn được thực hiện dưới đất cũng như trên trời.
Sống trong Thế giới của thế kỷ XXI này cũng giống như đang sống trong thời Kinh thánh, chúng ta thấy có rất nhiều linh hồn đang bệnh tật, và đang giãy chết về mặt tinh thần, hoặc đang đau bệnh về thể xác hoặc tâm thần. Ma quỷ ở khắp mọi nơi. Và chúng ta cần có sự chữa lành. Chúa Giê-su nói với các môn đệ rằng, họ đã có được đức tin “miễn phí”, thì họ phải đem đức tin đó cho không đến vối những người khác.
Chúa Giêsu cũng bảo chúng ta phải làm như vậy. Chúng ta được ơn kêu gọi để chia sẻ Tin Mừng đến trong gia đình của chúng ta, đến với những lân cận và đến với cộng đồng của chúng ta. Nhưng để làm được như vậy, chúng ta phải tiết kiềm chế, biết sống lành mạnh với sự tách rời của cải vật chất, biết đặt niềm tin vào Chúa Giê-su vì Chúa sẽ ban cho chúng ta những gì chúng ta cần để trở thành nhân chứng hữu hiệu về tình yêu của Ngài cho thế giới.
Qua tin mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giê-su đã ủy quyền cho các môn đệ của Ngài thực hiện các công việc mà ngài đã làm, là trao cho ho có được quyền năng chữa lành và lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa để đem đến cho những người đang đau khổ, mệt mỏi và bị áp bức
Tin Mừng của Chúa có quyền năng giải thoát mọi người chúng ta thoát được khỏi tội lỗi, bệnh tật, sợ hãi và áp bức. Chúa Jêsus sẽ giải thoát chúng ta thoát khỏi bất cứ những điều gì ngăn cản chúng ta yêu mến Chúa và những người chung quanh với niềm vui và sự tự tin.
Chúa Giêsu nói với các môn đệ: Anh em đã đón nhận thiên Chúa một cách tự do, anh em cũng hãy tự do cho đi. Tất cả những gì các môn đệ đã nhận được từ nơi Chúa Giê-su, giờ đây họ phải truyền lại cho người khác những gì họ có mà không mong đợi một sự đáp trả lại từ nơi người khác bất cứ thứ gì, cho dù đó là một món quà hay một sự trả ơn. Họ phải thể hiện bằng thái độ vì đó là mối quan tâm hàng đầu của họ là phụng sự Thiên Chúa là Chúa mà không nhận lại bất cứ một lợi ích vật chất nào. Họ phải biết phục vụ thiên Chúa mà không có chủ đích, nhưng với lòng đầy bác ái, nhân hậu, và giản dị. Họ phải chú ý hoàn toàn vào việc rao truyền nước Thiên đàng của Thiên Chúa và không được làm chệch hướng bởi những thứ vật chất mà họ đem theo.
Trên đường mục vụ, họ phải biết đặt niêm tin cậy vào Chúa, không mang theo hành trang hay bất cứ thứ gì trong suốt cuộc hành trình làm mục vụ của họ, và họ phải biết bỏ lại sau lưng tất cả những gì có thể làm cản trở công việc rao truyền Tin Mừng nước Thiên đàng mà Chúa đã giao phó cho họ. Để tập trung vào nhiệm vụ rao giảng lời Chúa. Họ phải làm công việc mà Chúa trao cho họ phải thực hiện, chứ không phải làm những việc làm vì những lợi ích cá nhân hay những gì họ có thể kiếm được trong cuộc hành trình này; Những gì họ làm là những gì họ có thể cho người khác một cách tự do, mà không mong đợi những đặc ân hay bất cứ một phần thưởng nào. “Sự nghèo khó trong tinh thần” sẽ giải thoát chúng ta thoát khỏi cái lòng tham lam và bận tâm đến của cải và dành nhiều chỗ cho sự chu cấp của Thiên Chúa. Chúa muốn các môn đệ của ngài biết lệ thuộc vào Người chứ không phải lệ thuộc vào chính họ hay các thứ vật chất bên ngoài.
Thứ hai, Chúa Giê-su nói: người thợ xứng đáng được ăn lương. Ở đây chúng ta thấy một lẽ thật nhân đôi, là người làm việc của Thiên Chúa không được quan tâm quá mức đến vật chất, nhưng con dân của Thiên Chúa không bao giờ được thất bại trong bổn phận giúp cho người làm việc cho Thiên Chúa có được những gì họ cần để duy trì chính họ trong các công việc của Chúa.
Chúng ta cần cầu nguyện cho công việc rao giảng Tin Mừng và chúng ta cần  hộ trợ công việc này bằng những nguồn vật chất và tài chính của mình nếu có thể.Chúa Giê-su kết thúc lời chỉ dẫn của Ngài bằng một lời cảnh báo: Nếu con người từ chối lời mời của Thiên Chúa và từ chối lời Chúa, thì chính người ấy sẽ bị sự phán xét và sự kết án cho chính họ. Khi Thiên Chúa ban cho chúng ta lời của Ngài, thì trách nhiệm to lớn của chúng ta là phải đáp lại. Sự thờ ơ của chúng ta là sẽ đi ngược lại với ý muốn của Thiên Chúa.
Chúng ta có thể vâng lời và theo Chúa hay chúng ta thờ ơ và  chống lại Thiên Chúa trong cách chúng ta đáp lại lời mời gọi của Ngài. Thiên Chúa ban cho chúng ta lời của Ngài là chúng ta có thể có sự sống và có sự sống dồi dào trong Ngài. Ngài muốn làm việc trong chúng ta và qua mỗi người chúng ta vì vinh danh của Ngài.
Thiên Chúa qua Chúa Giếu đã chia sẻ lời Ngài với chúng ta và Ngài uỷ quyền cho chúng ta mạnh dạn loan truyền những điều đó với những người khác chung quanh chúng ta qua việc làm, lời nói và gương sáng của chúng ta. Lạy Chúa Giêsu, xin cho niềm vui và lẽ thật của Tin Mừng biến đổi cuộc đời của chúng con để chúng con có thể làm chứng cho những người xung quanh. Xin Chúa ban cho chúng con có được lòng can đản để chúng con có thể truyền bá sự thật, ánh sáng phúc âm của Chúa ở bất cứ nơi nào mà chúng con sẽ đến.
 
Thursday 14^th Ordinary
Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to see you in those around us, and to bring you to those who need your grace, your peace, and your healing touch. Be with me on each step of my journey, especially during these moments of prayer. 
Encountering Christ:
There Is Work to Be Done: The world in the twenty-first century, as in biblical times, has many souls who are sick, spiritually dead, or physically or mentally ill. Demons are everywhere. There is a need for healing. Jesus told the disciples that, as they had obtained their faith “without cost,” they were to offer that faith to others at no charge. He tells us to do the same. We are called to share the Good News in our families, our neighborhoods, and our larger community. But to do so, we must pare down–live with a healthy detachment from material goods–and trust that Jesus will provide what we need to be effective witnesses of his love to the world.  
The Laborer Deserves His Keep: Jesus’ followers were told to “look for a worthy person” in each town they visited, and to lodge in that person’s household until it was time to move on. We can be that “worthy person” by opening our hearts and homes to missionaries, our parish priests, charitable groups, bible studies, etc. By this hospitality, we support the works of the Spirit in our neighborhood and community. Furthermore, we can be hospitable, in the fullest sense, to those who do the Lord’s work, by contributing our own time, talent, and treasure, as well as by prayer and sacrifice. 
Shake the Dust: Within a few sentences, Jesus offered what could be seen as a paradoxical message. On the one hand, he sent his Apostles out to heal the sick, raise the dead, and drive out demons. On the other hand, if they were blocked from doing so in a particular place, he told them to move on! The Scriptures speak often of “hardness of heart.” Some individuals are simply not open or ready to receive the Good News. We meet them where they are, love them, serve them, and still they reject us. When that happens, we must leave them, at least for a while, and pray and fast for their total restoration by grace.  
Conversing with Christ: Lord, too often I have gone about doing your work, with the expectation of a temporal reward. Help me to turn away from the need for praise, knowing that you are the one worthy of our praise and thanksgiving. Through the intercession of St. John the Baptist, help me to live simply, and by my hospitality and witness of faith and humility, lead others to your peace. 
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace, I resolve to support, through prayer and penance, your missionaries throughout the world. I resolve to participate, joyfully, in your work of salvation, however, and wherever you choose to use me to do your will. 

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Tư Tuần thứ 14 Thường Niên

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Tư Tuần thứ 14 Thường Niên, Scripture: Matthew 10:1-7
Qua bài Tin Mừng hôm nay, chúng ta thấy Chúa Giêsu đã chọn những người rất bình dân, có thể nói là những người quê mùa chất phát để rao truyền tin mừng cứu độ của Ngài cho những người khác.  Trong số các tông đồ đó họ là những người đánh cá, họ là người thu thuế, và họ có thể là những người yêu nước. Chúa Giêsu đã không tìm gọi những người giàu có hay những người có học thức, thông minh để thực hiện sứ mệnh của Ngài. Nhưng, Ngài đã chọn những người đơn sơ thấp kém nhất trong xã hội nhưng có lòng trung thành và sẵn sàng tin tưởng vào Chúa. Điều này có nghĩa rằng trong số chúng ta, ai cũng sẽ được kêu gọi để tham gia vào công việc truyền giáo. Chúng ta không thể lấy vịn vào cái lý do vì thiếu khả năng, ít học, quá yếu kém hay quá nghèo để làm việc cho Chúa. Qua phép rửa, mỗi người chúng ta đã được nhận ánh nến sáng của Chúa Kitô, chúng ta được sức dầu như tư tế, và được kêu mời để đem lời Chúa đến cho người khác.
            Chúa Giêsu ban cho các môn đệ những sức mạnh và quyền hạn khi họ ra đi để rao giảng Tin Mừng của Chúa. Trong khi chịu phép Rửa, chúng ta cũng nhận được sức mạnh của Chúa Thánh Thần để ra đi làm chứng và rao giảng Tin Mừng của Chúa. Chúng ta có thể thực hiện việc này bằng những công việc hành vi đơn giản thường ngày trong cuộc sống của chúng ta qua những lời nói, nhưng việc  làm, hay qua cách chúng ta cư xử với người khác. Chúng ta phải biết cố gắng tìm kiếm những cách thức mới để giới thiệu đức tin cho những người không biết Chúa Giêsu và những người không theo những đường lối của Ngài. Chúng ta hãy cầu xin Chúa Kitô, ban cho chúng ta những hồng ơn và sức mạnh cần thiết để  thực hiện sứ mệnh của Chúa trao ban.
 
REFLECTION
Jesus chose very ordinary men to tell others the ways of his kingdom. Among the apostles were fishermen, a tax collector, and a patriotic zealot. Jesus did not look for the richest or the smartest to carry on his mission. He chose those who could exercise faithfulness and had a willingness to trust the Spirit. This means that none of us are excluded from participating in the work of evangelization. We cannot make the excuse that we are uneducated, too weak or too poor to work for the Lord. We are all called through our baptism.
            Baptism does not only mark our entry into the Church and the reception of the gift of salvation, but also begins our responsibility of having to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. We are all commissioned, like the apostles, to bearing witness to God's power. Jesus gives his apostles and disciples authority as they go out to preach. At baptism, we are similarly given the authority to proclaim the Good News through the lives we lead and the words that we speak. We search for new ways to introduce faith to those who do not know Jesus and to those who do not follow in his ways.
            Let us pray that Jesus gives us the grace and the power we need to carry out his mission.
 
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” Matthew 10:5–7
The very last words of Jesus, just prior to His Ascension into Heaven, expands the mandate we read above that Jesus gave to His Apostles. He later says, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19). Eventually, Jesus sends the Twelve and all of His disciples to the ends of the earth to proclaim the Gospel to every creature. But here, prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit, and prior to the completion of Jesus’ earthly mission, He instructs the Twelve to go only “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Thus, Jesus gives a sort of priority to the preaching of the Gospel to those who have already been entrusted with the revelations of the Old Testament—that is, the teachings of the Law of Moses and the prophets.
Though, today, we must all hear the call from our Lord to “make disciples of all nations,” we must also hear this unique commission to first preach to those who are already members of the family of God. And though, today, the Holy Spirit has already come and the Gospel has already gone forth far and wide, there is still an important spiritual lesson to be learned by Jesus’ progressive commission from those of the family of God to those who do not yet know the Gospel.
Start with yourself. By hearing Jesus give special emphasis to His Twelve to go first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, you should hear our Lord speaking especially about you. You, who were baptized, have been confirmed and have received Holy Communion, now have a special obligation to listen to and respond to the Gospel of Christ. From there, God entrusts you with the sharing of the Gospel in a special way to those who also share your faith. For that reason, parents are uniquely obliged to share the Gospel with their children. Friends within the same faith community are uniquely obliged to reach out to others who share their faith. And pastors of the Church must do the same. The Gospel is now universal and must be proclaimed to all people, but this passage appears to highlight the importance of sharing the Gospel with fellow disciples of Christ.
We know from our daily life that there are many who profess faith in Christ who still are not fully evangelized. There are many who have received the Sacraments but lack the deep faith to which they are called. It can appear that most fail to worship our Lord every day, and many fail in their prayerful worship each and every week. Therefore, it is useful to place yourself into this Gospel passage and to hear our Lord call you to especially devote yourself to the sharing of the Gospel with those who have already become members of His Church, even if it is only in name.
If we begin with ourselves, seeking to daily grow deeper in our life of faith, praying and seeking out the will of God, then God will more easily be able to use us as He wills to share the faith with those who belong to God’s family but whose faith may be weak. And for those who are “all in” and have truly given themselves over to Christ, God will certainly also use you for the proclamation of the Gospel to those who have not yet come to know Christ through the gift of faith.
Reflect, today, upon the invitation Jesus gives to you to be His evangelist. First, look at your own life and do all you can to allow the Gospel to transform you into a fervent follower of Christ. From there, be open to the many ways that God wants to use you every day to inspire others to become followers of our Lord. Start with your family. Pray for them. Be attentive to the promptings of grace God gives to reach out to them. Then turn your eyes, also, to the wider community. Allow the Lord to lead, follow His voice, and He will use you in many ways to help others come to know His burning love for them.
My universal King, You came to establish Your Kingdom in the lives of all people. You call all Your creatures to faith in You. Help me to be among the first who turn to You with my whole heart. Please also use me to become an instrument of Your saving grace to those whom You’ve put into my life. My life is Yours, dear Lord. Use me as You will. Jesus, I trust in You.
 
Wednesday 14^th Ordinary Time 2023
Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for calling me to this time of prayer. Again, I ask you to inflame my heart with burning faith, hope, and charity. Grant me the grace of gratitude for those who first preached the Gospel to me, and give me the strength to proclaim the Gospel to others.
Encountering Christ: 
1. The Names of the Twelve: For some, this list of names can seem like a skip-worthy section of the Gospels or else a fun piece of trivia to be pulled out at the next Bible study. However, this passage would have carried some weight for the original audience of the Gospel of Matthew in the first century AD. In it, new and old Christians would recognize the names of those who preached the Gospel to them for the first time, giving thanks to God for these men. We can insert the names of our parents, catechism teachers, friends, and parish priests, asking ourselves, “Who was an apostle announcing God’s love to me?”
2. He Gave Them Authority: Jesus gave authority to the Apostles, meaning that his power would go with them wherever they went. The Apostles had to learn to trust in Christ’s power to work through them and boldly preach about the Kingdom. In our baptism and confirmation, Christ gives us the same boldness and power to go forth and announce the coming of the Kingdom. For our part, Christ asks for trust, the same as the Apostles. When I face opportunities to evangelize, do I place my trust in Christ?
3. The Commission: Jesus has a specific mission for the Apostles on this trip: to go only to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” After the Resurrection, Christ would give them a new, expanded mission: “Go out to the whole world.” Still, he had each Apostle in mind for a specific mission. Christ has a specific mission in mind for each of us as well.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I know you are here with me. Grant me the humble faith that knows that you are with me always and that it is you who send me out to proclaim the Kingdom. I thank you for all those who have gone before me in the faith, and I beg your grace to keep me faithful to you. 
Resolution: Lord, today, by your grace, I will take a moment to text or call someone who helped me in my faith journey.
 
Wednesday 14^th Ordinary Time 2022
Opening Prayer: Lord, place in my heart the fervent desire to be one of your faithful disciples. Allow me, by faith, to walk with you, learn from you, pray with you, and be your companion.  Place in me the desire to do your work, wherever that work needs to be done: in my home, in my workplace, in my daily routines, and in encounters with your “lost sheep.” Bless and protect all your disciples with your love. Amen.
Encountering Christ
Honor Roll: In the Gospel read yesterday, Jesus said he would need “workers” for the “harvest.” Today, we see the beginnings of the early Church, those first workers—the disciples listed by name. We should aspire to see our name included on that sacred roll-call! Does the world appear different today than the world surrounding those first disciples, two thousand years ago? Yes. Are the challenges to the faith very different?  Not really. Then as now, there were pagans (who worshiped false gods) and Samaritans (who differed with the Jews on a number of religious issues). But Jesus advised his disciples, and advises us, to go first to those who are closest. For the disciples, that meant the “lost sheep of Israel.” For us, that means our families, our friends, and our neighbors. 
We Do Not Go Alone: Notice among the roster that there were brothers and men from several walks of life. Jesus united these disciples, in spite of their varied backgrounds, or perhaps because of their varied backgrounds, with a common purpose. That purpose was nothing more nor less than the proclamation of the Gospel. Like the disciples, we should seek out the companionship of other faithful souls to sustain us on our journey. If we have already found mission partners, we thank God for them. If we are still seeking, we take that request to the Lord in prayer. As he provided for his disciples, so he will provide for us.
The Kingdom Is at Hand: Think of objects that, in our daily lives, we cannot be without. Cell phone? Keys? Water? Rarely would we leave our homes without these objects. Jesus tells his disciples that the Kingdom of Heaven–eternity with the Lord–is at hand. It is right here, right now. Eternity does not begin when we leave this life—it has already begun, and Jesus longs to be a part of every moment of our eternal lives. “Begin now to be what you will be hereafter” (St. Jerome).
Conversing with Christ: Lord, quiet my noisy life so that I might hear your call to me. Am I ready to be your disciple? What work do you have for me to do? Who will accompany me? Are there saints who have paved the way for me? Increase in me a devotion to all your disciples, those heroes of the faith who can lead me to you. 
Resolution: Lord, by Your grace, I will strive to seek out the “lost sheep.” I will offer them your Kingdom, reminding them that you are always near. 

Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thứ Ba Tuần 14 Thường Niên.

  Tin Mừng hôm nay, Chúa Giêsu đã chữa lành một người bị quỷ ám. Nhưng trớ trêu thay, những người Biệt Phái và Pharisiêu đã chế nhạo và buộc tội Chúa Giêsu là hoàng tử, là con của  quỷ vương nên mới có quyền phép để trừ quỷ như thế.  Cho những lời cáo buộc này không có chứng cớ hay cơ sở gì cả, nhưng những người Biệt Phái và Pharisêu đã buộc phải nói điều này bởi vì trong lòng họ cảm thấy Chúa Giêsu như là một mối đe dọa lớn về quyền lợi cho họ.  Có bao giờ chúng ta tự thấy chính mình cũng thường hay có những tâm trạng tương tự? Nhiều khi tấm lòng của chúng ta đã quá hạn hẹp, quá ích kỷ, tự cao nên chúng ta đã làm mất sự kiểm soát những cái cảm xúc của chúng ta, để rồi chúng ta chỉ tay vả buộc tội người khác, ngay cả những lúc chúng ta chẳng có một bằng chứng gì.

.           Trong phần thứ hai của bài Tin Mừng, Chúa Giêsu nói đến: "Lúa chín đầy đồng mà thợ gặt thì ít." Điều này phản ánh tình hình trong Giáo Hội ngày nay trong thế giới. Nhiều người có thể đã được ơn Chúa Thánh Thần soi sáng, nhưng tiếc thay, những người thực sự tham gia tích cực vào trong việc loan truyền Lời Chúa thì rất ít.

            Có lẽ chúng ta có thể học hỏi nơi bài Tin Mừng hôm nay bằng cách là: Thay vì bàn tán,  lan truyền những lời chỉ trích, nói hành, nói xấu hay buộc tội sai người khác và để cho những hận thù gặm nhấm và chiếm ưu thế trong tâm hồn của chúng ta, thì chúng ta hãy nên cố gắng rộng lượng, tha thứ và tập trung vào sự chú ý của chúng ta trong về việc  truyền bá chân lý sự thật, truyền bá Tin Mừng Cứu Rỗi và thông điệp tình yêu của Thiên Chúa tới mọi người bằng những việc làm, lời nói và hành động bác ái trong sự chân thành của chúng ta với những người chung quanh kể cả những người chúng ta không thích.

 

REFLECTION

In the first part of the Gospel, Jesus cures someone possessed by a demon. Ironically, the Pharisees then accuse Jesus of being the Prince of Demons. This accusation has no basis, but the Pharisees say this because they see Jesus as a threat to them.

            How often do we find ourselves in the same situation? We lose control of our emotions, and point an accusing finger at someone, even without proof or merit.

            In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus says, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few." This reflects the situation in the Church today. Many can be enlightened by the Good News of our Lord, but those who actively participate in delivering the Word of God are few. Perhaps we can learn from today's Gospel. Instead of spreading false accusations and allowing hatred to prevail, let us focus our attention on spreading the truth and the message of love from God.

 

Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35–36

Jesus was quite zealous for souls. Zeal is an energy, a passion and a drive to accomplish some task. The task that Jesus was zealous for was the conversion of every heart that He encountered. As He walked from town to town, encountering person after person, Jesus could see into their hearts. He saw that so many people were “troubled and abandoned.” He could see they were like “sheep without a shepherd.” And this moved Him to compassion with a zeal to become their Shepherd, to remove the trouble from their hearts and to let them know they were invited to belong to His new Kingdom.

The image of Jesus encountering numerous people who were troubled and abandoned is a good image to ponder. The reason is that this is us. Each one of us has our own interior troubles. We can feel alone, confused, uncertain and lost at times. The person who doesn’t feel this way is either a perfect saint or is not being honest. Deep holiness and union with God does, of course, cure this interior struggle that many have. In that case, the person clearly knows they belong to the family of God, understands himself or herself as a son or daughter of God, and finds deep peace in this truth. But for those who struggle, this Scripture passage is especially for you.

First of all, to be “troubled” could be caused by many things. For some, they struggle with memories of the past, broken relationships, a lack of direction, serious sin, anger and the like. So the first question to honestly ponder is whether or not you have a troubled heart. Even the greatest of saints will find some areas they struggle with. So what is that for you?

Secondly, feeling “abandoned” is a heavy cross. The reason Jesus came was to enable us to belong to His family. That is accomplished by the gift of eternal salvation which must begin now. By receiving the forgiveness of sins and growing in a life of prayer, we come to know God in a very intimate and personal way. Yes, He is the Almighty God and Creator of all. But He is also deeply personal and intimate, and He wants to form a real relationship of love with you.

If you struggle with either of these, being troubled and/or abandoned, then consider the zeal that Jesus has for you. His tireless and extensive travels, by foot, while He was engaging in His public ministry, should be seen as a sign to you of His zeal to come to you, personally, to become your Shepherd. He wants to lift every burden and clear the way for you to discover your place in His family. The “Gospel of the Kingdom” that Jesus preached was one that invited everyone to become a member of that Kingdom. As He comes to you, know that His heart is filled with compassion for you, just as it was when He traveled the countryside so long ago. He sees you, gazes at your heart with love, and never takes His eyes off of you in your need, weakness and sin.

Reflect, today, upon the zeal that Jesus has for your own eternal salvation and holiness of life. You cannot make it through this world without Him. Let Jesus seek you out, come to you, speak to you and invite you to allow Him to shepherd you. He wants to do so with every fiber of His being; let Jesus fulfill His mission in you.

My divine Shepherd, You seek out all people with the greatest of zeal and compassion. You see every hurting and broken heart, and You desire to heal each one. Thank You for coming to me, dear Lord, for being my Shepherd and Guide. Help me to see You as You gaze at me in my weakness and pain. And help me to open my heart to You now and throughout my life. I love You, my Lord. Jesus, I trust in You.

Tuesday 14^th Ordinary Time 2025

 

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I am willing to be sent by you. I strive to hear your call every day and place all that I am at your service. I will shepherd those in my care and lead them to restful waters. I will work in your vineyard and harvest good fruit for the Kingdom.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Tenth Mighty Work: The ten mighty works of Jesus recall the ten works of Moses in Egypt. The works of Moses and those of Jesus were met with hardness of heart. Pharaoh refused to believe in the Lord God, and here, the Pharisees refuse to believe in the Lord Jesus. While the crowds and Jesus’ disciples were amazed at Jesus’ displays of power and authority in healings, exorcisms, and the command over nature, the Pharisees had a much different reaction. Instead of glorifying God and giving thanks that the time of salvation and the New Exodus had come, they accused Jesus of working in league with the devil: “He drives out demons by the prince of demons” (Matthew 9:34).

2. The Need for New Shepherds and Laborers: How does Jesus respond to the accusation of the Pharisees in the Gospel of Matthew? By appointing the Twelve, granting them authority to do the works he was doing, and sending them out. The hardness of heart of the Pharisees revealed that Israel needed new leaders, God’s flock needed new shepherds, and the abundant harvest needed new laborers. The heart of Jesus was moved with pity for the people. They were being unnecessarily burdened by the Pharisees and their traditions. Just as Pharaoh had subjected the people of Israel to hard labor, the Pharisees were tying up heavy burdens for the people and not helping to carry them (Matthew 23:4). By contrast, the yoke and burden of Jesus will be light (Matthew 11:29-30). That is because we do not carry it alone, but carry it with Christ. Jesus’ apostles will be appointed to help the people they shepherd carry the yoke of Christ.

3. Wrestling with God: Recently, a clinical psychologist has written a book about the psychological dimension of the Genesis stories. Concerning the First Reading, in which Jacob wrestles throughout the night with the Lord God, Peterson writes: “Jacob, like Abram, began his adventure on the wrong foot. Both men both determined to set themselves straight, despite their substantial flaws, and make a covenant with God to do exactly that. That is a decision; a moral decision, and it is the decision to begin the journey up – to mount the spiral of Jacob’s Ladder toward the highest good. They then face a horizon of expanding opportunities, each of which demand, in sequence, a sacrifice of increasing magnitude – a maturation and transformation of character. In the case of both protagonists, this transformation proceeds to a point so revolutionary that the men who undergo it are in some sense reborn, and become new people. Hence their new names, Abraham, ‘father of nations,’ and Israel, ‘he who wrestles with God’ If that wrestling is done in the proper spirit, there is no difference whatsoever between those two newly bestowed, fully integrated, and properly sacrificial identities” (Peterson, We Who Wrestle with God, 293).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, teach me to pray as I ought. Bring me to deep contemplation so that I may know you and see how to shepherd your sheep and how to labor in your vineyard. I will strive to imitate you, the Good Shepherd, in all that I do.

 

Tuesday 14^th Ordinary Time 2024

Opening Prayer: Lord God, the temptation to fall into idolatry is always real. So many things in this world can become my idol and displace you as the one I love above all things. Bring me back to you when I stray and give me the strength to break free from any attachments to sin.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Israel’s Sins according to Hosea: In the First Reading, the prophet Hosea brings to light two of Israel’s sins: first, establishing a line of kings without God’s approval and, second, worshiping false idols. The separate line of kings of Israel began with Jeroboam I (930-910 B.C.) of the tribe of Ephraim, when the ten northern tribes broke away from Judah after the reign of King Solomon. To avoid the people of Israel returning to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, Jeroboam set up two golden calves for worship at the sanctuaries in Bethel (in the southern part of Israel) and in Dan (in the northern part of Israel). In his message to Israel, Hosea commands Israel to cast away the calf of Samaria and accuses Ephraim (Israel) and building altars that, instead of expiating sin, became occasions of sin. Ultimately, the people have rejected the Lord, his law, and his presence. Hosea concludes that God will punish Israel for their idolatry and send them into exile. This is where the people will begin to long for knowledge of God and of his word. The Responsorial Psalm ridicules the worship of idols of silver and gold. The idols are mere human creations that cannot speak, see, hear, smell, feel, or walk. The Lord, by contrast, speaks his word and creates all things; he sees and knows all things; he hears the cry of his people and listens to their prayer; God smells the sweet scent of sacrifice, and prayer (Genesis 8:21; Exodus 29:18: 2 Corinthians 2:14-15; Ephesians 5:2; Philippians 4:18; Revelation 5:8); creation is the work of God's hands; and God walks among his people (Leviticus 26:12). Our God is a living God, who gives his people divine life. Those who make and worship idols, however, become like the dead idols they worship.

2. Jesus’ Ministry: In the Gospel, Jesus cures a man possessed by a demon who prevented the man from speaking. The mute man was brought to Jesus by others, indicating how important it is for us to bring others to Christ. In this episode, we see how the dominion of Satan is one of slavery and imprisonment; while the dominion of Christ is one of freedom. The reaction of the crowds is that of wonder before God’s awesome power; the reaction of the Pharisees, on the other hand, is one of contempt and disdain. The crowd has become simple like a child, which is a condition for entering into God’s kingdom. They marvel at the wonders God has done for them and their hearts open up to their heavenly Father. They delight in and approve of what Jesus has done. The Pharisees, however, reject Jesus’ actions as a display of demonic power. Instead of marveling they explain the miracle away in a complicated and contradictory way. Jesus will show them the falsity of their claim: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (see Mark 3:22-24). Jesus continues his mission of teaching, proclaiming, and healing. He teaches with authority in the synagogues, showing the fulfillment of Scripture in his person and bringing the Old Law to fulfillment. He proclaims the Gospel of the Kingdom, using parables to illustrate the nature and characteristics of God’s lordship. The child-like, those born from above, those who believe in him can enter into God’s kingdom. The kingdom of Satan is a dominion of sin, hatred, sadness, disease, slavery, and death. Through his miraculous cures, Jesus manifests that God's kingdom is a dominion of grace, love, joy, well-being, freedom, and life.

3. Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Unlike the heart-less idols of Israel, God has a heart that is moved to pity. He sees the needs of his children and gives them everything that is good. He has mercy on them and leads them like a Good Shepherd. Through his Son, he calls us to share in this mission. His priestly people will share in the threefold office of his Son. The laity share in Christ’s priestly-sanctifying office by their prayers, apostolate, and lives lived in the Spirit. These actions become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In the Eucharist, these sacrifices are offered to the Father along with the body of the Lord. “Worshiping everywhere by their holy actions, the laity consecrate the world itself to God, everywhere offering worship by the holiness of their lives (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 34). The laity share in Christ’s prophetic office since they are witnesses to Christ and have the sense of the faith and the grace of the word. They fulfill this mission by evangelization, proclaiming Christ by their words, and the testimony of life (CCC, 904-907). Finally, the laity share in Christ’s kingly-royal office, working to overcome the reign of sin in themselves, promoting justice and morality, and cooperating with their pastors in the service of the ecclesial community through the exercise of different kinds of ministry (CCC, 908-913).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I share in your three offices through my Baptism. Help me to grow as your priest and offer up my life to the Father. Help me to grow as your prophet and proclaim your word without fear. Help me to grow as your king and extend your kingdom.

 

Tuesday 14^th Ordinary Time 2023

Opening Prayer: Jesus, I know evangelization is a great task and that few go out into the field as you did to work. I commit myself once more to your service, Lord Jesus, and I pray for all of those who you are calling to this task. Lord, send laborers to your harvest!

Encountering Christ:

1. The Doubters: Even as Christ goes about doing good works and casting out demons, there remain the Pharisees, who claim that his power derives from a lower source. These people spread doubt about Christ’s power, for their sanctimony and learning blind them. Christ looks instead to the crowd, who are humble and open to his teaching and healing. 

2. The Shepherd and the Flock: Christ has the heart of a shepherd who sees the flock abandoned and alone. He is supremely empathetic, taking the sorrows of Israel upon himself, and he wants to be their comforter, so he teaches in their synagogues and heals their sicknesses. Christ calls every Christian to imitate this love—to look out on the world with the eyes of shepherds, to see how we can console and guide the flock, each in our own way. 

3. Help Wanted: Christ calls some of us to a deeper commitment to shepherding and consoling the flock as souls consecrated to his service in religious life or in the clerical state. The ending of this Gospel is like a “help wanted” sign posted at the front of a store. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” What have I done to promote vocations in the past? Is Christ moving me now to work with young men or women discerning vocations?

Conversing with Christ: Lord, do not allow my learning or prejudice to block my ability to see you at work in my life. Help me to discern properly your call at every moment. Put me to work as your humble servant.