Day 12
27th Thursday in ordinary time, 12 October 2023
Feast: St. Wilfrid
Reading: Mal. 3:13-4:2a
Gospel: Luke 11:5-13
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
(Luke 11:9)
After teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus stresses the important elements of prayer and faith: courage and persistence to ask. We often come to a dead end and are perplexed about what to do. We try any solution to get out of that problem. We might ask for help from our relatives, friends, and acquaintances. But when all the endeavors fail, we choose to give up and don’t want to try anymore. In today’s Gospel Jesus asks us to persist and be strong in faith through prayer. When everything looks difficult and dark, we just bow in silence, asking for Jesus’ help.
The parable of a friend coming at midnight for a favor teaches us the importance of persistence in prayer. That friend persistently asked for loaves of bread despite the earlier rejection. His persistence which looks shameless bears fruit eventually. Jesus promises if we ask, we will receive; if we seek, we will find; if we knock, the door will be opened.
Of course, we do not then misunderstand or interpret this teaching of Jesus as just sitting back and asking without any effort. Asking, seeking, and knocking are three actions that need active movement from humans. This means humans have to participate and then respond with Divine grace. Jesus says that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to those who ask from Him. With the presence of the Holy Spirit, our Helper, and Advocate, our adversities will be settled.
As missionaries carrying out the task of mission, we will face obstacles and difficulties. Pope Francis said missionaries can not lose hope. Today, as then, the Risen Lord remains close to His missionary disciples and walks beside them, particularly when they feel disoriented, discouraged, and fearful of the mystery of iniquity that surrounds them and seeks to overwhelm them. So, let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of hope! 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”(Message of the 97th World Mission Day).
The Pope also said that the Lord knows and sees the sacrifice and generosity we are making for the mission of evangelization. Therefore, keep persistent in faith and prayer, especially when we have to endure any kind of hardship and difficulty in the path of mission. We have to remember Jesus’ words before His passion, “In the world, you will have tribulations, but be courageous. I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33).
Our mission today: always believe and hope in God’s mercy.
(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
Luminous Mysteries
1. The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16-17)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Asia (yellow beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for the light of Your love for the continent of Asia. Thousand of cases are revealed, and drug trafficking is increasingly becoming a concern. Humans are poisoned with false pleasure and waste Your given grace of life. O Merciful Father, free the lost souls. Illuminate their hearts to find a path returning to You. May education on the danger of drugs and the way to avoid bad relationships be continuously promoted to raise the awareness of society, especially young people. Keep law enforcers away from selfishness and greed, so they can honestly and strictly fight against the drug for the sake of a healthy society. Through our Lord, JesusChrist, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
2. The Wedding of Cana
“At the request of Mary, His mother, Jesus overcame the lack of wine. That what Jesus did […] This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” (John 2:11)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Australia & Oceania (blue beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, bless the continent of Australia and Oceania so they can love nature, the source of their food and life. Show them to gratefully maintain and care for what You have granted for their lives. Keep them away from selfishness, desire to control, and temptation of greed that leads to exploitation. Bless the nature conservation efforts in Oceania, especially to prevent the loss of biodiversity. May love and respect for nature encourage everybody to take concrete action to maintain the beauty and sustainability of nature. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
3. The proclamation of the Kingdom of God
“Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” (Mat. 4:17.23)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Europe (white beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, send Your Holy Spirit to the continent of Europe. Guide each heart to Your calling with joy. Rise the Spirit of vocation and apostolic spirit among the priests, nuns, and all members of Your church. May the missionaries, lay people and ecclesiastical groups be united and work together to regenerate the spirit of faith in this continent. Ignite the cold heart and light the path, so that those lost people can find Your way back. Grant wisdom to the authorities for them to value and care for the religious heritage that has now been turned into places of entertainment. May Catholic churches on the continent of Europe rise and develop for the glory of Your name. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
4. The Transfiguration
“And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matt. 17:2.5)
Prayer is intended for the continent of America (red beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, of all nations, we pray for Your mercy, especially for the continent of America. Technology advancement and development have an impact on the rising level of stress and living demand. It has caused anxiety, depression, and mental issues. Through the presence of the experts, heal the hurt and raise the broken spirit. Remove the darkness and ignite Your light of hope. Especially to young people, guard their faith and life, so they may resist the temptations of modern life, especially not to forget You. May the advances in technology and communication be utilized by the influencers to share good news, and social media become positive means to maintain mental health and promote life. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
5. The institution of the Eucharist
“And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” (Mark 14:22-24)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Africa (green beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for peace on the continent of Africa. Conflict and violence have urged people to flee, leaving their hometowns. As You protected Your Son in the exile, also protect them in their way. Suffice them on the foreign land, so that they can survive physically, and mentally and keep their faith that You will not abandon them. Grow love and a sense of humanity, so more people would become the broken Bread and be shared to ease others’ sufferings. May the root of crime; the supply of weapons and explosives, be stopped soon so the continent of Africa can become a safe and peaceful place again. 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) 