The Lord Is Greater Than All Our Problems

Day 8
27th Sunday in ordinary time, 08 October 2023
Feast: Simeon, St. Sergius and Bacchus
Reading: Isa. 5:1-7; Phil. 4:6-9
Gospel: Matt. 21:33-43

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.”
(Phil. 4:6)

Not every day of our lives is serene and unclouded, without obstacles, challenges, and anxiety. However, living in fear and anxiety continuously is not good. Paul, an evangelist, also encountered a lot of challenges in his life, such as being rejected, chased, imprisoned, etc. But he didn’t give up. Instead, he gained more spirit to proclaim the Good News to the world.

Learning from his experiences, in his letters to the Phillippians Paul sent important and valuable messages and teachings for us to remember when we are attacked by a deep anxiety. Paul’s letters to the Phillippians are short: Send our anxiety to the Lord and all will be alright. The Lord is greater than our problems. 

We are asked to keep our lives in love and peace as Jesus has taught us. In our lives, we will always encounter problems that drag us to anxiety, especially serious ones that we can not solve. How to overcome those anxieties appear in us? Following Paul’s message: Give them all up to the Lord. Come to Him and bow in prayer, offer Him our gratitude as well as all our problems.  By remembering to thank Him despite difficult circumstances, and persevering in prayer, we put ourselves in complete control of God. Faith in God, believing that our God is Almighty God, that every single thing in this world and our lives are in His control, will lead us to total surrender. Total surrender will result in God’s peace that is beyond our thoughts, that will take care of our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.

Paul reminds us to rejoice always! Problems often make us forget to rejoice and give us gloomy faces, and cold and frozen hearts. Whereas, on the path of mission there will always be problems and challenges. Along our path of mission, we will always question and doubt many things. “Is it sufficient? Where else to get funds? It doesn’t seem to work! Perhaps it’s the wrong way! Where to start? How to face the pressure of minorities? This suffering is too heavy, how to overcome it?”

In celebrating the 97th World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis in his message to all missionaries throughout the world said, “The Lord is greater than all our problems, above all if we encounter them in our mission of proclaiming the Gospel to the world. For in the end, this mission is His and we are nothing more than His humble co-workers, ‘useless servants’”(cf. Lk. 17:10).  The Pope is right. Our co-worker on the path of mission is the Almighty Lord. Therefore, do not fear! Come to Him and bow, surrender our endeavors and problems only to Him. 

Our mission today: Give up our anxiety to the Lord and persist in prayer and hope.

(Ignasius Lede – Commission for Mission of The Bishop’s Conference of 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 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
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)

Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for Your grace of unity for the continent of Asia, especially our country, Indonesia, which will soon hold a Presidential Election. May the election be held in an open, transparent, and accountable circumstance that becomes the instrument of uniting the entire Indonesian. Guide our hearts and minds to elect the wise and just president. May our faith in You be the foundation to make us active citizens, willing to care and participate in advancing our people and country. Keep us away from any conflicts, acts of violence, and negative impacts in this election, for us to rejoice in welcoming the new president. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and 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)

Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we are praying for the continent of Australia and Oceania. Grant the Spirit of Faith to the community so they can appreciate the history and root of life. Currently, the Aborigin, indigenous people of Australia, are facing suffering, oppression, and injustice due to racism, enslavement, violence, and confiscation of their land rights. Protect them and restore their freedom to live on the land inherited from their ancestors. Enlighten everyone’s mind to interpret the respect for ancestors and history as the form of our faith in the history of Your creation. May Your work of love become real through the efforts to maintain and care for the culture inheritance and treasure, including the life of the indigenous people. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and 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)

Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, bless the continent of Europe with the Spirit of fraternity. Free every heart from fear of the refugees and asylum seekers, that cause stigma, hostility, and discrimination.  Instill respect for life so that justice and humanity can be practiced especially to the weak and marginalized, those who need safety and protection. Many children who are victims of war could not meet their parents due to restrictions. May they soon be gathered with their family and gain back their free life. And may the differences can be compromised, a new solution can be achieved to reach the reconciliation that will ensure the rights of life and equal protection for everybody. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and 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)

Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, grant freedom for the victims of human trafficking and slavery, especially in the continent of America. Save the victims, as You are our Saviour.  May those who had undergone such crime be lifted by You and be filled with Your joy.  Set the criminals free from evil and guide them to repentance. May Your grace be with the individuals, groups, and organizations in fighting human trafficking and slavery, so that respect for human dignity can be established on this earth. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and 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)

Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for your blessing on the continent of Africa to free them from natural disasters and violence. Food crisis due to drought, flood, and ongoing conflicts has caused high mortality. Victims are the children: killed and died from malnutrition. Pour out your grace, oh Merciful and Loving Father, bless the nature of this continent so it can provide abundance to support the lives of its people. Free them from poverty and the threat of extreme hunger which is the cause of their suffering. May the spirit of solidarity continue to grow within all of us, for the whole world would care and work together to offer help to our brothers and sisters on the continent of Africa. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.

Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!