MATTHEW 9:6-8 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:1-8)

Jakarta, 30 June 2022

A Christian Pilgrim

 

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

Jakarta, 29 June 2022 [Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles]

A Christian Pilgrim

 

TODAY’S FEAST IS A CELEBRATION OF THE TRANSFORMED LIVES EXPERIENCED BY PETER AND PAUL

TODAY’S FEAST IS A CELEBRATION OF THE TRANSFORMED LIVES EXPERIENCED BY PETER AND PAUL

(A biblical reflection on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles – Wednesday, 29 June 2022)

First Reading: Acts 12:1-11

Psalms: Psalm 34:2-9, Second Reading: 2Timothy 4:6-8,17-18; Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-19

The Scripture Text

About that time Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Wrap your mantle around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first sand the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. And Peter came to himself, and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”(Acts 12:1-11 RSV)

If someone were to ask you what difference Jesus’ death made, what would you say? That we can now be transformed into a new creation? That we can be filled with the character of Jesus Christ? Today’s feast is a celebration of this transformed life. Consider the following: Peter was changed from an impulsive and boastful fisherman into a compassionate shepherd and faithful servant. Paul was transformed from a dedicated but stiff-necked religious leader into an itinerant preacher consumed with proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. Both men worked miracles, confounded kings, and stirred thousands of hearts – all because they came in contact with Jesus Christ.

Are their experiences normal? Yes! Each of us can experience the same radical transformation that Peter and Paul knew. God may not call us to confront world leaders or to raise the dead, but the same basic experience that impelled their ministries is the inheritance of every child of God. Not only can we experience this transformation, we should expect it as a vital part of our heritage in Christ. Determination, courage, or talent did not change Peter and Paul. In fact, Scripture is quick to point out the weaknesses and faults of these two mighty apostles. No, their transformations hinged on Jesus.

God wants us to know that it was the Holy Spirit who changed these men. And this same Spirit can – and wants to – change us. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn us, but to save us (Jn 3:17). Jesus came to free us from all that binds us to sin and failure and to give us the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and temptation. The Holy Spirit wants to teach us who Jesus is by making Him alive in our hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit wants to explain to us the mysteries of god so that we can grow in knowledge of the Gospel.

In every prayer time, at every Mass, in every encounter with another person, pursue Jesus. He wants to meet us even more than we want to meet Him! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, He can make us into His faithful servants, just as He did Peter and Paul.

Prayer: Heavenly father, You send the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name to teach me and remind me of everything about Jesus. Today, may I rise up and claim my inheritance in Christ. Amen.

Jakarta, 28 June 2022

A Christian Pilgrim

 

MATTHEW 8:27 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:23-27)

Jakarta, 28 June 2022

A Christian Pilgrim

 

MATTHEW 8:19-20 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Matthew 8:18-22)

Jakarta, 27 June 2022

A Christian Pilgrim

 

LUKE 9:62 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Luke 9:51-62)

Jakarta, 26 June 2022

A Christian Pilgrim

 

ON THE WAY TO JERUSALEM

ON THE WAY TO JERUSALEM

(A biblical reflection on the 13^th Sunday in Ordinary Time [Year C] – 26 June 2022)

Gospel Reading: Luke 9:51-62
 
First Reading: 1Kings 19;6,19-21; Psalms: Psalm 16:1-2,5-11; Second Reading: Galatians 5:1,13-18
 
The Scripture Text
When the days drew near for Him to be received up, He set His face to go to Jerusalem. And He sent messengers ahead of Him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for Him; but the people would not receive Him, because His face was set toward Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do You want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.
As they were going along the road, a man said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head.” To another He said, “Follow Me.” But He said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” Another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.  (Luke 9:51-62 RSV)
 
The life of Jesus was a journey through this world until He finally returned to heaven. The good news for us is that heaven if the goal of our pilgrimage too. It is an end well worth the cost of single-minded dedication and detachment.
 
As Jesus’ mission on earth drew to a close, “He set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). In Jerusalem, which symbolizes the entirety of God’s plan, both old and new, Jesus accomplished the Father’s will by His death, resurrection, and ascension (Luke 9:31). As a result of Jesus’ obedience, the Holy Spirit was poured out and the Kingdom of God advanced throughout the world.
 
Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, determined to fulfil His Father’s plan for Him. He turned His back on everything that would prevent Him from accomplishing God’s will. He had faith that the Father was His inheritance, His chosen portion and cup (Psalm 16:5). Therefore, He surrendered His life to His Father. Jesus knew that there was “fullness of joy” in the Father’s presence – that in His “right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).
 
Like Jesus, we too must set our faces toward Jerusalem. To glorify the Father as Jesus did means we also will undergo suffering and persecution as He did. We can take courage, however, because Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33) and in Him we too overcome. To be victorious in Christ, we are called to accept the Father’s will and follow Jesus without reservation.
 
Following Jesus requires that we surrender ourselves to Him and place our security in Him alone. Jesus relied only on the Father for His security and thus had “nowhere to lay His head” in this world (Luke 9:58). Like Jesus, we need to put aside everything and preach the Kingdom of God: “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). Finally, we cannot look back to the past but need to look forward to the future. One who plows does not look back to see if his furrows are straight (Luke 9:62). With hope and expectation, we keep our eyes fixed on God, trusting in His sovereignty and having confidence that His plan will be fulfilled in us.
 
These proverbs are reflections on what is required to be a disciple of Christ. Jesus calls us not to “save” our lives, but to sacrifice them as well as all our worldly treasures for Him, just as He did for the Father. In so doing, we will find fullness of life and know that God is our inheritance.
 
Prayer: Heavenly Father, open our eyes to the majesty of our heavenly home. May this vision compel us forward as we seek Jesus, the pearl of great price. Jesus, we want to be with You forever! Amen.
 
Jakarta, 25 June 2022
 
A Christian Pilgrim
 

 

LUKE 2:51 (Today’s Gospel Reading: Luke 2:41-51)

Jakarta, 25 June 2022

A Christian Pilgrim

 

OBLIGATORY MEMORIA OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY (Saturday after the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus)

Jakarta, 25 June 2022

A Christian Pilgrim

 

A PRAYER TO JESUS ON A VERY SPECIAL DAY

Jakarta, 24 June 2022 [Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus]

A Christian Pilgrim