Day 7
26th Saturday in ordinary time, 07 October 2023
Feast: Virgin Mary, our Lady of the Rosary
Reading: Acts 1:12-14
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
“Mary said: ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her”
(Luke 1:38)
The angel Gabriel, who was sent from God, came to Mary and told her that she would be the mother of Messiah, Son of God. Having heard that news, she didn’t leap for joy nor hug the angel. Perhaps deep in her heart, Mary was not sure of what she heard. It’s a normal reaction to be shocked and perplexed, how could she conceive with no relation with a man? She could directly reject that message and ask the angel Gabriel to find someone else to replace her. However, it didn’t happen that way. After listening to the angel’s words, despite it being difficult to understand, Mary chose to obey God’s will. Her attitude showed that obedience to God’s will is undeniable.
“I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.” This statement shows that Mary did not only humbly admit the power of the Lord on her, but firmly stated that she accepted all the commandments and will of the Lord. God never makes mistake in choosing. This simple young woman is an example for future missionaries who carry out the mission of the Lord. Every chosen messenger should have humility, not arrogance, and feel special being chosen among many people. The word “handmaid” was used by May to show how she positioned herself. She admitted herself as the handmaid of God. She didn’t call herself: “Mother of the Lord” or “Mother of the Son of God”. Mary knew and realized her role and responsibility as a handmaid and messenger of God. She didn’t feel privileged to the given status as the mother of the Messiah, the Son of God. Her focus was only on the mission of God.
Mary and many other holy role models, as well as Joseph, her husband, are the people chosen by God to sit in important positions and carry out crucial tasks. Those are simple people without luxurious and great appearance, yet they have undoubted inner qualities. Mary might be young in age, simple in terms of provenance and background, but she is superior in character and faith. She fully believed in the angel Gabriel who said that “nothing will be impossible for God”(Luke 1:37). Mary’s faith and obedience have made God’s plan of salvation for us come true.
The way Mary positioned herself in her mission is a reminder and admonition for us, the Lord’s messengers. The mission does not belong to us, it fully belongs to God. We are demanded to carry out the mission as God’s will, not ours. When God chooses and trusts us for the task, we have to say “yes”. Do it humbly with full responsibility. Stop applauding ourselves! Do not utilize the mission to gain applause and popularity. Do not claim the result or work of the mission as our own! Introspect and manage our hearts. If there is hidden arrogance in the act and movement of our mission, get rid of it and clean up the junk.
Our mission today: be humble and do not claim the work of mission as our own.
(Budi Ingelina – National Bureau of Pontifical Mission Society)
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 Indonesian Church of this month:
For the Synod
We pray for the Church, that she may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.
For the Empowerment
We pray that the empowerment activists are blessed with perseverance, tenacity and creativity in assisting small communities to meet their needs and increase their welfare.
Amen.
MISSIONARY ROSARY
Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation of the Angel to Mary
“Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.” (Luk. 1:28b.30b-31)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Asia (yellow beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, your children from the continent of Asia come to send our gratitude and praise for your gift of diversity, as well as the diversity in religion. We realize the importance the religious harmony as the foundation to build a nation and maintain national integrity. May this year of grace, which was declared as the Year of Interfaith Harmony strengthen the tolerance, dialogue, and modernization of the interfaith in each country of our continent. As the witness for Christ, empower to us proclaim the Good News of Your inclusive love to all people. Grant us wisdom so that in our openness to diversity, we may keep our faith in You. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
2. The visitation of Mary to Saint Elizabeth
“Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42-43)
Prayer is intended for the Continent of Australia and Oceania (blue beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for your love and mercy for the people in the continent of Australia and Oceania, especially for the children and young people trapped in the juvenile justice system. May they have the chance for repentance, self-improvement, and growth in your Love. Guide the authorities to carry on their duty wisely and with love, avoiding violence and punishment in handling children, young people, and disabilities. May the leaders and the whole society realize their duty to protect the rights and welfare of those children and young people, by constantly developing positive intervention programs for the improvement of the character and future of the next generations of this continent. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
3. The Nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)
Prayer is intended for the Continent of Europe (white beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for the continent of Europe, especially for Pope Francis. During his leading the Catholic Church, Pope Francis continuously emphasized his love and concern for the poor, as well as his commitment to the harmony of worldwide interfaith. Please grant good health and strength to Pope Francis, so that he can continue to lead all Catholics in Your entrusted path of mission. May the worldwide pontifical mission constantly support this evangelization mission of local and universal churches. Empower us to be the missionaries who bring hope and dreams for the improvement of the world. Through our Lord, JesusChrist, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
4. The presentation of Jesus to the Temple
Simeon said unto Mary, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul.” (Luke 2:34-35)
Prayer is intended for the continent of America (red beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for fraternity and peace on the continent of America. May the people from different nations, races, and religions strive for dialogue and work together to live in harmony and peace.
Grow the concern and sense of belonging with each other so that harmony in togetherness can be created. Make each individual aware of their role as the agent of justice and positive transformation. May with the growing awareness and love of peace, war and crisis in any form can be avoided. The victims of war, may find help so that they can recover physically, mentally, and financially. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
5. The finding of Jesus in the Temple
“How is that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spoke unto them.” (Luke 2:49-50)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Africa (green beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, grant justice for the continent of Africa, especially for the equality of each life. The struggle for protection for women and children to gain their rights in politics, society, economy, education, and health is still ongoing. Women and children frequently become the victim of early marriage, forced marriage, violence, and sexual harassment even rape. In their hard life struggle, may they find Your mercy that frees them from suffering and lifts their dignity in life. For You are the living God, full of mercy to Your oppressed people and those who always hope in faith to have Your help. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
Situs Resmi Karya Misi Kepausan Indonesia (KMKI) 