Day 2
27th Saturday in ordinary time, 2 Oktober 2022
Feast: The Guardian Angels
Reading: Hab. 1:2-3;2:2-4; 2Tim. 1:6-8, 13-14
Gospel: Luk. 17:5-10
“So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”
(Luk. 17:10)
Jesus reminded His apostles to keep themselves away from apostasy. They also need to take care of their brothers. Rebuking if necessary, and forgiving if they repent. It’s said if one of them sins seven times a day and returns back seven times with regret, shall he be forgiven!
What kind of love Jesus would like to tell in forgiving seven times a day? The number of seven is not the limited number for repeating a tolerable mistake or sin (max. seven times). No. The number seven is a symbol of fulfillment and perfection. God completed creating heaven and earth and all creatures in six days. On the seventh day, He stopped all His works. He blessed and made this day holy (cf. Gen. 2:2). There is blessing and holiness on the seventh day. Jesus wished His apostles to do and give the same to all their brothers. Blessing and sanctification through endless forgiveness.
Having listened to Jesus’ warning, the apostles said to Jesus, “Lord, increase our faith!” Did they fear? How couldn‘t they fear? Jesus’s teaching was not easy to understand. His teaching was difficult, extreme, and even seemed against the Law: an eye for an eye. The apostles were reminded to forgive as much as possible. This was not only confusing but also shocking their personal principle of assertiveness. A mistake followed by repentance should be responded to by forgiving, not by punishing. The act of forgiving shows a “weakness”, nevertheless there is endless love that Jesus wanted from all apostles in forgiving endlessly.
The apostles had difficulty understanding this teaching, so they asked Jesus to increase their faith. Being aware of this difficult task, they did not reject or give up immediately, but they surrendered themselves to Jesus and asked for His help. This is the attitude of discipleship that should be possessed by all of us in accomplishing the mission and Jesus’ teaching in our life. This is the attitude of faith. “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luk. 17:6). The apostles had this kind of faith. When they couldn’t understand Jesus’ teaching, they believed that Jesus would help. Openness and humility to come to Jesus and ask for His help had led the apostles to the knowledge of proper self-attitude as the workers of God. Jesus illustrated this through a parable of being a servant.
A good servant will put on his apron and be ready to serve his master in any condition. After completing his job, the servant will humbly say that he has done what he should do, instead of asking for a reward. In the beginning, Jesus warned His apostles of the danger of apostasy. Arrogance, feeling meritorious, or having done a lot of things are the chance of apostasy in the disciples of Jesus. These temptations have been experienced by the messengers, preachers, and servants of God in carrying out the ministry of the mission. Yet for His love, Jesus sends the Spirit into each of His servants. The Spirit moves, guides, and enables the servants to be involved in missionary, serving God and others. Keep in mind that “We are just unworthy servants”.
Message: of Pope Francis for the 2022 World Missionary Day: “The primary reason for evangelizing is the love of Jesus which we have received, the experience of salvation which urges us to ever greater love of him” (Evangelii Gaudium, 264).
Mission: Presenting our life to Jesus Christ for repaying His giving “Himself” to us.
(Angel – National Bureau of Pontifical Mission Societies Indonesia)
DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER
Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in the unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.
Together with St. Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church this month:
For the purpose of Universal Churches: Church is open to all people
We pray, by holding onto a strong and bold faith in proclaiming the Gospel, may the Church become an open community of brotherhood and solidarity, living in the environment of ecclesiastical togetherness.
For the purpose of Indonesian Churches’ intention: Involved Churches
We pray, in the midst of their internal activities, may the Churches constantly give themselves, thought and time to be involved in society’s problems.
Amen
MISSIONARY ROSARY PRAYER
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray, (quite)
Dear Loving Father,
You send the Church to present your Kingdom to the world with good news and prosperity for all mankind. With Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Son, we pray for missionary spirit unto faithful believers. Give us strength and assist us in working together and creatively proclaiming Your good news to society, especially during the 400th anniversary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of People, the 200th year of Pontificial Mission Society for the Propagation of Faith, and the recovery moment from Covid-19 pandemic.
Through the intercession of Jesus Chris, Your Son, and our Lord.
Amen
The Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection
“The angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.” (Matt. 28:5-6)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Asia (yellow beads)
Father, with Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for the nations in Asia continent. Thank to the Minister of Foreign Affair and the Indonesian Embassy for their effort to repatriate exploited and troubled Indonesian migrant workers, especially pregnant women, mothers with babies, children, the elderly, the sick people in other countries. Also, thank for the aid from Indonesian Citizen Protection Task Force to the delivery agent and the aid from the Indonesian Citizen care application. Hope all the efforts could offer prosperity to the migrant workers, especially to give hope to those living imprisoned in suffering and helplessness. May life in the continent of Asia be illuminated with Your light of hope and salvation.
We pray this through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children.
2. The Ascension
“When he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. ‘Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.’” (Acts 1:9-11)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Australia & Oceania (blue beads)
Father, with Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we are praying especially for the continent of Australia and Oceania. We hope the whole community will strive to build a just and prosperous society. May You grant the humility and grace of wisdom to the leaders and policymakers both at the central and regional levels, so they can sit together, striving for two-way communication regardless of the difficult situation. Turn on the true spirit of brotherhood among the people in the continent of Australia and Oceania so they could work together to strive for goodness for all nations of this continent.
We pray this through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children.
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
“Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting […] and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts. 2:2.4)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Europe (white beads)
Father, with Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we ask for the presence of Your Holy Spirit, especially for the continent of Europe. Father, bless this continent with peace. Hope the effort for ending the crime of aggression, negotiations, and stopping the weapon supply that is escalating the conflict could get the attention of all parties. Save this continent from disunity, and encourage each party to take the peaceful way so that they could understand and respect each other. We also pray for the victims of war, who lost their security and right to life. May in the midst of the current difficult situation the people in the Europe continent always be guided by the Holy Spirit to share the help for those in need, especially the victims of war. Renew each heart with love and the true spirit of brotherhood.
We pray this through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children.
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with them. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:14.17)
Prayer is intended for the continent of America (red beads)
Father, with Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for the nations in the continent of America. Bless all the ruling parties with the light of Your Spirit, in order for them to stop supplying weapons to the countries at war and stop the action of creating disunity and war in some countries. May You stay among the leaders, so they would stop carrying out power politics and exploitation, power struggles, and intimidation to small nations. May the nations in the continent of America live in peace and be the peacemaker for the entire world.
We pray this through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children.
5. The Coronation and the Blessed Virgin Mary
“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev. 12:1)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Africa (green beads)
Father, with Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we come to you to present the continent of Africa. Look at your people on this continent who experiencing many problems, conflict, injustice, poverty, and disease, especially the victims of the Russia-Ukraine war. The focus of the world tends more towards the conflict rather than the victims of the conflict. War has caused a high cost of transportation, and in consequence, the aid to the nations in the continent of Africa is delayed. Father, we hope all nations in the world could work hand in hand to offer help and hope for the suffering people. Bless the continent of Africa to be a prosperous continent.
We pray this through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children.
Situs Resmi Biro Nasional Karya Kepausan Indonesia 