GOD is always Proactive

Day 30
30th Monday in ordinary time, 30 October 2023
Feast: St. Marcellus
Reading: Rom. 8:12-17
Gospel: Luke 13:10-17

“He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.”
(Luke 13:13)

Today’s Gospel is about Jesus encountering a woman who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over, completely incapable of straightening up. Such a condition made her life miserable. For years she couldn’t see straight and up, confined in pain and helplessness. Not only her body suffer, but also her dignity. Perhaps some of us also suffer in silence like that woman. Trapped in our sin, helpless to straighten ourselves, our faith, and our lives. 

The woman suffered for years with nobody’s help, as if she was “invisible”. But Jesus saw her! Despite Jesus’s teaching in the crowds, He saw the woman. He didn’t wait for the woman to come to Him asking for help, Jesus took action first. He instantly laid His hands on her and she was healed. Jesus is always proactive!

The unknown woman suddenly became famous. A name is a sign of identity to be known. Characters who are given names signify they are important. Unnamed – unknown. Jesus didn’t give her a name or call her “madam”. Rather, He affirmed her presence. Jesus even straightened that woman, her body and dignity.

But it was the sabbath day when nobody was allowed to do any activities including healing. Did Jesus forget it was Sabbath day? No. Jesus’ deed showed that the woman was important for Him. In addition, there was a wrong practice of the Sabbath that needs to be corrected. Sabbath was assumed superficially, without understanding its meaning. Forbidding or stopping physical activities was intended to remind humans to glorify God. However, is glorifying God only about attending the mass or celebration, and neglecting the other’s suffering?

 As human beings, we sometimes act improperly. Law is implemented as a concept without real application in life. Human dignity is put aside, and the poor, marginalized, and suffering are ignored. Sometimes they are cared for only for the sake of obeying the rules. In fact, rules are made to help humans live better instead of taking away their right to a prosperous life. Jesus teaches us to apply the words of “glorifying God” in a good and concrete way. When we care for the suffering of our neighbors and honor their dignity through our real attitude and deeds, we are manifesting the “Sabbath” in our lives.

Jesus freed that woman, for the essence of the Sabbath is the day of freedom, the promised salvation to descendants of Abraham. From being crippled by spirit, the woman then became a free descendant of Abraham. Despite her suffering for 18 years, Jesus found and saw her, Jesus didn’t keep silent. He took the initiative and directly took action. Therefore we shall not lose hope despite our long suffering. As long as Jesus sees and finds us, He will definitely heal us! For human healing is a glorification of God.

Our mission today: believe that God is always proactive in reaching us when we need Him.

(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!