Day 22
29th Sunday in ordinary time, 22 October 2023
97th WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
Feast : St. John Paul II, Pope
Reading : Isa. 45:1,4-6; 1Tes. 1:1- 5b
Gospel : Matt. 22:15-21
“Calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.”
(1 Thessalonians 1:3)
Dear beloved missionaries,
Next year on 14 February 2024 the Indonesian people will elect a new president (cf. the Gospel: “Caesar”). Nowadays the election stage is at registering the candidates for president and vice president. The 2024 presidential election has been heating up since the beginning of this year. Political parties are busy with consolidating, coalition, and maneuvering. They are looking for any possible supporters. The public is also drawn into the political realm with surveys of the candidates. As has habitually happened in this country, religion will be attached to the Indonesian political scene. Religion is treated like a gimmick to gain the support of short-minded people. Religion is exalted, as well as humbled being utilized for some certain interest. Religion and God are used irresponsibly like sold merchandise for the profit of certain groups. Religion and God are mixed too far in politics. As a result, the people are provoked and divided because our diverse country has been tainted by the misuse of religion for the power interest.
In today’s Gospel Jesus advised us not to mix religion and politics. We don’t let religion and politics interfere with each other, yet we don’t just separate them that they don’t care about each other. We are obliged to act consistently and full of responsibility as citizens and religious persons. Do not be an opportunist, caring for our interest, yet let go of responsibility. As active citizens, we should be engaged in politics as moral believers. As believers we have to actively take part in the progress of the nation and country based on morality and inclusive faith, not narrow-minded and fanatical.
Today’s Gospel tells how the Pharisees provoked and tested Jesus by asking, “Tell us, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” If Jesus replied, “It’s lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar,” Jesus would clash with the nationalist group of His nation and would be accused of the minion of colonialists. On the other hand, if Jesus replied, “No necessary to pay the caesar,” He would be accused of a rebellion by the Roman colonial. Jesus would stay away from the trap of the Pharisees. Jesus didn’t reply to them directly, as He knew their malice. He asked for a coin that paid the census tax. The coin clearly showed the image and inscription of Caesar. In other words, those people were using the facility of the government whom they hated. Therefore, Jesus told them the consequence of their deed using the government’s facility: do not take advantage without paying the tax. They didn’t like their government, yet they wanted to enjoy the facility and took advantage of it. This is not consequent and responsible. Those who enjoy should also pay the cost. Therefore, Jesus replied, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God.”
The right (that should be paid to) of Caesar is limited. While the rest or even all is the right (that should be paid to) of God who creates and loves us. In other words, Caesar or the government only has the right to conduct or manage life for the sake of public welfare. As long as Caesar or the government organized or fulfilled public welfare, the citizens were obliged to respect, support, and obey them. On the other hand, if government acts beyond or violate their constitutional right, citizens are free to disobey them. The citizens are even obliged to criticize them.
All things of this world, including humans and states belong to God. The universe is created by God and furnished with His gifts, therefore we have to repay God by managing and using it as God’s wish. Repaying to God what belongs to God is doing God’s wish, that is proclaiming and upholding the Kingdom of God.
Proclaiming and upholding the Kingdom of God is our mission as believers. We have to renew this missionary call and commitment today, on the 97 World Mission Sunday. Pope Francis has guided the renewal of our missionary commitment with his message of Mission Sunday message, “Hearts on fire, feet on the move”. This theme is inspired by the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus encountering the Risen Jesus. Personal encountering with Jesus in His words (teaching along the journey to Emmaus) and the broken bread (Eucharist in the house in Emmaus) had made their heartburn and urged them to return to Jerusalem to proclaim the risen Jesus.
The renewal of our missionary commitment today is also affirmed by St. Paul’s prayer to the Thessalonians, “We always remember you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before our God and Father.” (1Thes. 1:3). We show the missionary commitment in our act of love, our sincerity in sacrifice and giving ourselves by actively involved in striving the welfare for everybody.So we are invited to enter our inner room to encounter the risen Jesus, listen to His words in our inner heart, and welcome Him in the Eucharist. We spend a special “quality time” to be with Jesus, to allow Him to transform and empower us to be His disciples ready to carry the mission of proclaiming and upholding the Kingdom of God. We carry out God’s missionary mandate in our daily lives with our gifts, talents, strengths, and limitations for the greater glory of God and the nobility of higher human dignity.***NW
Our mission today: willing to sacrifice ourselves for mission work for the glory of God and the nobility of human dignity.
(RD. M Nur Widipranoto- National Director 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
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) 