Day 14
27th Saturday in ordinary time, 14 October 2023
Feast: St. Callixtus I, Pope and Martyr
Reading: Joel 3:12-21
Gospel: Luke 11:27-28
“He replied, ‘Rather, blessed are those who hear the work of God and observe it’.”
(Luke 11:28)
We all know Mary, the mother of Jesus. From a common woman, she was chosen to be the mother of the Lord, mother of the only Son of God. Church entitles her: Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin, Immaculate Conception, Mother of the Church, etc.
The gospel reading of today is very short, yet it has profound meaning. This short story is not about Jesus rejecting to acknowledge the praise to Mary, His mother. On the other hand, Jesus showed her true identity, what made His mother deserve to be called “blessed” as she mentioned in her canticle (Luke 1:48).
There will be no sufficient words about Mary. We know that she is chosen by God. As the chosen one, she joyfully accepted God’s work in her life. She conceived Jesus, the source of Joy to the world. God’s work is not easy to comprehend by common sense. How can a virgin conceive without having a relationship with a man? In her perplexity, Mary asked a question to the angel, but she didn’t mean to disbelieve. She kept the angel’s reply in her with total humility and faith, that God had acknowledged the humility of His handmaid.
However, Mary is not just a biological mother of Jesus. She is the example of Jesus’ follower: hearing and observing the Word of God. At the very first moment of the encounter with the angel, she showed the quality of a true disciple. She’s obedient to God’s will. She did not only hear the word of God but also observed it in herself and her life. Mary’s faith is not merely personal faith, it is communal. Mary put her personal experience in the salvation history of God’s people. From this simple woman, the history of human salvation began.
When someone is amazed by Jesus’ teaching and praises Mary as the blessed one as she conceived Jesus, indeed Jesus did not deny it. Rather, Jesus would like to remind that person who just focused on Mary’s biological side. Mary had a concrete faith which is manifested biologically and spiritually. Biologically, she was willing to conceive and raise Jesus, to feel the experiences of a mother in general. Spiritually, she decided to be involved and directly struggled, also committed to doing God’s mission on her, such as to bring and accompany Jesus until He was ready to begin His own mission.
From the past till now, Mary has always been an example for us, Jesus’ disciples. We must hear God’s word by reading the Scripture in our daily lives. Without knowing the Scripture, how can we proclaim Jesus Christ and His Gospel? Above all, we have to be committed to observing God’s word in our mind and heart and manifesting it in our will, decisions, and actions, so we deserve to be called blessed, like Mary.
Our mission today: to realize the importance of Scripture in Christian life and the preaching of Christ and His Gospel.
(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) 