Day 11
27th Wednesday in ordinary time, 11 October 2023
Feast: Pope St. John XXIII
Reading: Jonah 4:1-11
Gospel: Luke 11:1-4
“[…] Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”
(Lukas 11:1)
Why is prayer important in our daily lives? Catechism of the Catholic Church – Paragraph #2559 says “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” It’s said when we pray, we speak out of depths from humble and contrite hearts. Humility is the base of prayer.
Disciples of Jesus are an example of humility. They said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Based on this request, Jesus teaches the prayer of Our Father. This simple prayer taught by Jesus has a profound and extraordinary meaning.
Pope Francis once wrote a book titled “Our Father” in which he specifically reviewed this prayer. He said Jesus Himself teaches us to call the Lord “Father”. This is the core of our Christian faith, that we have an intimate relationship with God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The word of the Father is universal, as well as to show Jesus’ promise that we will not be left orphans (cf. John 14:18).
“Children need to find a father who is waiting for them when they return from their failures. These children will do all they can in order not to admit their mistakes, not to let their embarrassment show, but they need this security. A father is the irreplaceable guardian and mediator of faith in the goodness, of faith in the justice, and faith in the protection of God, like Saint Joseph. The Church, our mother, is committed to supporting with all her strength the good and generous presence of fathers in families.” (Our Father, Pope Francis)
The Pope also said, “Prayer is always alive in life, like embers of fire… Even when the mouth does not speak, the heart talks” (Pope at Audience: We meet God in prayer in the ‘today’ that we live, Vatican News 10 February 2021). Those who are not experts in making words of good prayer do not worry. When our mouth does not speak the proper words, God listens to our hearts. We only need to direct our hearts to Him and fully believe that He hears the struggle of our hearts.
However, praying alone or with the family in daily prayer or devotion is not enough. In another audience, the Pope said that Christian prayer is closely linked to concrete expression of faith, such as Sacred Scripture, the Sacraments, and liturgical rites (Pope at Audience: Liturgy and prayer unite us to Christ, Vatican News 03 February 2021). Jesus Christ is our way of salvation. In the Eucharist of Liturgy, we encounter Jesus Christ. He makes Himself present in the Holy Spirit through the sacramental signs. Pope Francis stressed that Christianity without a liturgy is a Christianity without Christ. When celebrating the mass, there is an internalization of the sacramental presence of Jesus. He enters and becomes part of us through the Bread we receive. The Eucharist is also the source and summit of the Church’s mission: “An authentically eucharistic Church is a missionary Church’ (Sacramentum Caritatis, 84).
Our mission today: praying and celebrating the Eucharist routinely as an essential part of the mission.
(Budi Ingelina – National Bureau of Pontifical Mission Society 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!
Situs Resmi Karya Misi Kepausan Indonesia (KMKI) 