MATTHEW 8:29 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:28-34)

Jakarta, 30 June 2021

A Christian Pilgrim

 

MATTHEW 16:18-19 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-19)

Jakarta, 29 June 2021

A Christian Pilgrim

 

TWO GREAT SAINTS OF THE CHURCH: SAINTS PETER AND PAUL

TWO GREAT SAINTS OF THE CHURCH: SAINTS PETER AND PAUL

(A biblical reflection on the Solemnity of SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES – Tuesday, 29 June 2021)

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-19

First Reading: Acts 12:1-11; Psalms: Psalm 34:2-9, Second Reading: 2Timothy 4:6-8,17-18

The Scripture Text

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-19 RSV)

On this feast day, we celebrate the two main pillars of the early Church, Peter and Paul. These men represent two vital aspects of Christianity, both in its corporate and individual dimensions – the pastoral and the missionary. From the first Pentecost, Peter’s leadership of the Church was evident. Peter moved from Jerusalem to Antioch to Rome, where for two thousand years his successors have continued to offer a dynamic link to Jesus’ desire to build His Church.

The touchstone of Peter’s faith and the bedrock of his role as leader was his confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This is the very faith that Paul celebrated when he said, “No other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1Corinthians 3:11). Though Paul was among the last to be called an apostle, it could well be argued that it was he who developed the doctrines of faith that became the basis for our creed and continue to define the Church to this day.

The universal Church speaks with one voice when it declares “Jesus is Lord!” These two saints, Peter and Paul, have made it clear that our faith is not meant to be an individual, isolated thing. It’s not just “me and Jesus.” It’s “Christ and His Church.” God never wanted us to live in isolation from each other. He never intended Christianity to be an individual experience. He gave a corporate dimension to our faith so that our experience of life in the Spirit would be spurred on in power and supported in hope by the faithful witness of so many other believers.

By faith we are saved, and this faith is a gift given from our Father in heaven. Through the Church, let us make known the manifold wisdom of God. We too are called to be pillars of the Church. We too are called to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord. As we take up our calling and profess the Lordship of Christ, we too participate in building up the Church that so long ago was begun by Peter and ignited by Paul.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for calling me to be one of Your disciples. May I ever proclaim Your Lordship in fellowship with all Your people. Amen.

Jakarta, 28 June 2021

A Christian Pilgrim

 

MATTHEW 8:20 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:18-22)

Jakarta, 28 June 2021

A Christian Pilgrim

 

MARK 5:34 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Mark 5:21-43)

Jakarta, 27 June 2021

A Christian Pilgrim

 

DO NOT FEAR, ONLY BELIEVE

(A biblical reflection on THE THIRTEENTH ORDINARY SUNDAY [Year B] – 27 June 2021)

Gospel Reading: Mark 5:21-43

First Reading: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Psalms: Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13; Second Reading: 2Corinthians 8:7,9,13-15

The Scripture Text

And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about Him; and He was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing Him, he fell at His feet, and besought Him, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” And He went with him.

And a great crowd followed Him and thronged about Him. And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If I touch even His garments, I shall be made well.” And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in Himself that power had gone forth from Him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, “Who touched Me?” And He looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before Him, and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith had made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

While He was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And He allowed no one to follow Him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, He saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. And when He had entered, He said to them, “Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at Him. But He put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with Him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand He said to her, “Talitha cumi”; which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and walked; for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were overcome with amazement. And He strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. (Mark 5:21-43 RSV)

Our readings today confront some of our most basic fears: fear of death, fear of poverty. All animals die. Man is the only animal who knows he is going to die. We must make sense of temporality and finitude. There will come a time when we will cease to be. The world will continue; we will not. To find meaning in our life in the face of death we must ask: Why are we born to die? Why does God bring us into existence if only to let us perish? As soon as we are old enough to breathe, we are old enough to die! As someone once said – they make coffins for babies!

Our first reading from the Book of Wisdom offers us some sobering thoughts. Our Gospel reading offers the example of Jesus. The Book of Wisdom teaches that God did not create death. God made the human person imperishable, in the divine image. The good creation of God was originally free of death and destruction. However, the devil was jealous and sought to destroy all that God had made. Out of envy, he brought death into the world. The human person turned away from God. The tragic result was the Fall. We live in fear and insecurity. Sin alienates us   from God, self, others and creation. Is there any hope of reconciliation and new life?

Our Gospel reading contains the words of Jesus: “Fear is useless. What is needed is trust.”  Death comes through the devil and sin. However, God will not allow these to have the final word. Fear will be replaced by courage; death with the hope of eternal life. Jesus comes as God’s reconciling, life-giving Word. Yes, death is real. The pain of death is great. However, in the final analysis it is light, life, hope and grace which will win out. In the short run the forces of death and darkness are operative. We are afraid. Yet, fear is not the proper response for the Christian. We must trust in the power of Jesus who said to the little daughter of Jairus, “Little girl. I say to you, raise.”

In addition to the fear of death, we are afraid that we will not have enough in order to live well. We worry about our daily bread. But is really our daily bread that concerns us? Is it not often our future bread? Will we have enough for tomorrow? But how much is enough? Too often, the answer is: “There is never enough.” Our fear and insecurity cause us to run after and grasp more that we need for our daily bread. We begin to live by our greeds. We build up a surplus which denies others what they need. Should we plan for tomorrow? Prudence counsels yes. However, there is a “right measure” in terms of what we store up.

Trust must be at work when we think about tomorrow’s daily bread. If we really trust in God’s providence, all fear is driven out The God who cared for us today will do so tomorrow. The daily bread of today will be the daily bread for tomorrow, until we come into the banquet hall prepared by Jesus. Then death will be no more. We shall see Him as He is. And God’s love will drive all fear from our hearts. Then we shall know a peace beyond all understanding. And it will be ours forever.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I trust in You. Have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.

Jakarta, 26 June 2021

A Christian Pilgrim

 

MATTHEW 8:8 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:5-17)

Jakarta, 26 June 2021

A Christian Pilgrim

 

MATTHEW 8:2-3 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:1-4)

Jakarta, 25 June 2021

A Christian Pilgrim

 

HIS NAME IS JOHN

HIS NAME IS JOHN

(A biblical reflection on the Solemnity of THE BIRTHDAY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST – Thursday, 24 June 2021)

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:57-66,80

First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalms: Psalm 139:3, 13-15, Second Reading: Acts 13:22-26

The Scripture Text

Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord has shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said, “Not so; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your kindred is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all marvelled. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel. (Luke 1:57-66, 80 RSV)

The Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist as a solemnity not only because he was the forerunner of Christ, but also because, as the Lord Himself said, he is the greatest among those born of women (Matthew 11:11).

It is in some ways surprising that we have any account at all of the birth of John the Baptist. Two of the Gospels, Mark and John, have no account even of the birth of Jesus. Matthew has an account of the birth of Jesus, but not of John the Baptist. Only Luke presents an account of the birth of John the Baptist, and his version is governed by two literary principles: First, he makes the account of John’s birth a direct and detailed parallel to the birth of Jesus; second, he writes his account of both births in the tradition of the births of Old Testament prophets and of classical biographies of heroic figures. In a sense, Luke is the most accomplished New Testament writer. He writes also, as his prologues to his Gospel and to his Acts of the Apostles testify, in the tradition of classical writers of history, and he writes the most elegant Greek in all of the New Testament, excepting perhaps that of the author of the letter to the Hebrews.

John was born when Zechariah his father and Elizabeth, his mother, were both old (Luke 1:18), and the lady was considered barren (Luke 1:36). In their case, within the human limits, a conception and a birth were impossible. But all things are possible for God. John’s birth was not a mere biological exception, but a special favor granted by God. Through his birth and mission, the power of God was guiding human history. We know this from the angel’s message to Mary, “And behold your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will impossible” (Luke 1:36-37). Accordingly John’s birthday is celebrated six months before the birthday of the Lord.

The angel of the Lord had told Zechariah about the child, “… he will be great before the Lord … and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb … and he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah …” (Luke 1:15-17). Even before they were born, Jesus and John met. John was so delighted in the presence of Jesus that he leaped for joy while still in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:44).

After his long silence, when John’s father spoke, his first words were a song of praise to God. Zechariah was a man of God, and after a long period speechlessness, at the first opportunity he spoke of what was foremost in his mind: the Benedictus (The Canticle of Zechariah). He also said to the child, “You shall be called a prophet of God the Most High. You shall go ahead of the Lord to prepare His ways before Him” (Luke 1:76). This, in fact, John did, crying out: “Repent, turn away from your sins, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). He exhorted the people to prepare the way of the Lord. He qualified himself as the voice crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord!

Saint Augustine of Hippo [354-430] says: “John marks the frontier between the Old and the New Testaments. The Lord speaks of him as the boundary line: ‘The law and the prophets are valid until John the Baptist.’  He represents the Old Testament and at the same time introduces the New.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You sent Saint John the Baptist to the people of Israel to make them ready for Christ the Lord. Give the grace of joy in the Spirit, and guide the hearts of all the faithful in the way of salvation and peace. We pray this in the most precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Note: This is a revision of my writing dated 24 June 2018

Jakarta, 24 June 2021

A Christian Pilgrim

 

LUKE 1:66 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Luke 1:57-66,80)

Jakarta, 24 June 2021 [Solemnity of the Birthday of Saint John the Baptist]

A Christian Pilgrim