Mission: Becoming The Witness Of Father’s Love

Day 9
28th Saturday in ordinary time, 9 Oktober 2022
Feast: Abraham, Father of All Nations; St. Denis, St. John Leonardi
Reading: 2Kgs. 5:14-17
Gospel: Luk. 17:11-19

“Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”

(Luk. 17:18)

Naaman came from Aram, which was known as Syria. He was the highly esteemed and respected army commander of the king of Aram. Not only was he loved by the king but also by the Lord. In 2 Kings it is said that “… for through him the Lord had brought victory to Aram” (2Kgs. 5:1). Yet he was a leper. Leper was regarded as a curse, causing the patient to suffer physically, mentally and socially, he was despised and isolated. Despite suffering from humiliation, Naaman was more fortunate than other lepers. Although he was a foreigner, the Lord “had His mercy” on him. He was saved by a little girl, a servant of his wife. This unnamed little girl told him of a prophet in Samaria who could cure him of his leprosy. The prophet Elisha.

Elisha just gave him a simple instruction, to go and wash seven times in the Jordan and his flesh would heal and he would be clean. Instead of believing, Naaman went away angry. This message was like a joke to him. He thought Elisha would do something special to him, came out to him and called on the name of the Lord his God, and would move his hand over the place and cure the leprous spot. But he was just asked to wash seven times in the Jordan. It’s just like a routine washing at that time. Moreover, Naaman thought the rivers of Damascus could be better than all waters in Israel. Why should Elisha choose Jordan? It could be any river.

There was no coincidence. Elisha’s request had a purpose and meaning. This was not just a matter of instruction for washing. Elisha would like to present the God in Israel, no other god is better than the God of Israel. He was so great that no special and complicated ritual was required. Just follow what the man of God asked to do, plunge seven times in the Jordan – must be the Jordan -, Naaman was cleaned right away. “His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (2Kgs. 5:14).

The Gospel has a similar story, about the leper. Naam was a single actor, but in the Gospel of Luke, there were 10 lepers. This was a group of sufferers. They didn’t come to a prophet asking for healing, but they raised their voice directly to Jesus, asking for pity on them. Instead of being asked to wash in the river, the 10 lepers were just looked at by Jesus, and they were healed on the spot. Unfortunately, only one man, who was a foreigner (v.18), returned back to glorify God in a loud voice.

The healing of Naaman and the 10 lepers are the witnesses of God who can give a new life. Leprosy made them isolated from social relationships. Jesus asked them to show them off, as He had made them clean not only physically but also of their social status and relationship. Yet, Jesus demands thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not only expressed in words, it can be bearing witnesses, worship and action. Witnesses do not always come from scholars and pious people. A witness can come from a servant, like the anonymous little girl, the servant of Naaman’s wife. It could come from a foreigner who has experienced God’s love in himself and his life.

On the Week of World Mission in 2006, Pope Benedict said, “God’s love which gives life to the world is truly a soul of experiencing and preaching of Gospel. When the love is received, the receiver is transformed to be the witness of God.”

Pope Francis’ message for 2022 World Mission Day: “The disciples sent by Jesus to the world do not only take a duty but primarily to carry out the mission entrusted to them, not only to bear witnesses but mainly to be the witness of Christ.” Mission: We are called to be the witness of Father’s love.

(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 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.