Day 9
27th Monday in ordinary time, 09 October 2023
Feast: Abraham, Father of All Nations; St. Denis, St. John Leonardi
Reading: Jonah 1:1-17; 2:10
Gospel: Luke 10:25-37
“He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself”
(Luke 10:27)
The parable of the kind Samaritan in today’s Gospel reading was preceded by the question of a scholar of law to Jesus: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
In some occasions, we might ask ourselves, spouse, friend, or priest: “What should I do to save my soul and enter heaven?” We might have the same answer as Jesus replied to the scholar of law: “Be a kind person.” But, how to be a kind person? There could be different answers to this question and there could be no ending discussion of those answers. However, one thing that all mankind on the earth may agree on is that good people always care and love for others!
The word “to love” may be nothing, however, it is not easy to practice. Therefore, Jesus said a parable of a kind Samaritan, so we can learn how to love. Jesus asks us to not only love the Lord in prayer, praise, and song, or love those of the same faith as us, but we have to go beyond ourselves to love every single person we encounter in our lives. Jesus asks us to love all people till we forget that we are loving them. We are asked to love endlessly.
Through the parable of the kind Samaritan, Jesus illustrated the importance of love and compassion regardless of the race and background of our loved ones. The kind Samaritan, who was considered a second-class society at that time due to their unpure blood of Israelite, instead showed sincere compassion to the victim who needed help. A priest and a Levite just passed by on the opposite side when they saw the victim of robbers lie down half-dead, whereas they were agroup of people related to worship, religion, and God.
Pope Francis said that breaking our material bread with the hungry in the name of Chris is already a work of mission. How much more so is the breaking of the Eucharistic bread, which is Christ Himself, a work of mission par excellence, since the Eucharist is the source and summit of the life and mission of the Church (message for the 97th World Mission Sunday). The meaning of the broken Bread in the Eucharist is the Christ who gives Himself be broken and shared. That is what is demanded from us, the disciples of Jesus. Look at the Samaritan in today’s Gospel. Despite he was not a disciple of Jesus, he sincerely cared for and loved others in need, regardless of the people he helped. That is the concrete example of self-giving, to be the “broken and shared bread”.
Our mission today: appreciate sincere self-giving to God and others.
(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
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) 