Day 31
30th Tuesday in ordinary time, 31 October 2023
Feast: St. Br. Alphonsus Rodriguez
Reading: Rom. 8:18-25
Gospel: Luke 13:18-21
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.”
(Romans 8:25)
Brother Rodriguez, the doorkeeper of the Jesuit college of Montesión, was not an ordinary doorkeeper. His duties might look unimportant, and so might be his figure. Yet he never underestimated God’s call on him.
Initially, he studied at the Jesuit college as he wanted to be a priest. However, due to his father’s death, he had to return home to run the family business at the age of 14. He had lost a lot of his family members; his wife, three sons, and his mother. Eventually, he was alone and his business fell apart.
At the age of 40 Rodriguez entered the Jesuit novitiate. Preliminary record of him was unsuitable for priesthood; poor health and limited education. Then he was given the task of the college’s door-keeper, whose duties involved receiving visitors, searching for Jesuits or students whom someone sought, delivering messages, running errands, distributing aims to the needy, and most importantly the troubled who had no one else to turn to. Duties that looked unimportant. Rodriguez did his job with humility and sincerity, he greeted everyone with a smile. He imagined every man who knocked at the door to be the Lord, and every woman to be Mother Mary. Every time the door knocked, he would rush to enthusiastically greet the visitors.
He greeted everybody who knocked on the door with the same smile he would have given God. He didn’t feel inferior or his faith faded with his job as a doorkeeper. His presence and influence were felt by everyone meeting him. Students came to him for advice, prayer, and motivation. In silence and with faithful straight sight to the door of the college, he had undergone a deep spiritual life. The humility that made him the lowest servant eventually led him to be a Saint.
Life can be very difficult and miserable when everything changes at once and all we have is gone. But we will keep on struggling, as Brother Rodriguez did, life will not defeat us. In his fragility and weakness, Brother Rodriguez rose. Jesus who suffered and was crucified, together with His people especially the weak, accompanied Brother Rodriguez and walked with him in his fragility and weakness.
Initially, Brother Rodrigues was having a miserable life, yet he managed to get out of his difficult life and joined the Jesuits. There he started a new life, in the community that supported him. Despite his weakness and fragility, he opened up and wanted to walk with the surrounding people. Ultimately, he became a winner, defeating the initial prejudice, fragility, and weakness with the grace of Lord Jesus and Mother Mary. Like Jesus walked beside the disciples, particularly when they felt disoriented, discouraged, fearful of the mystery of iniquity that surrounded them and sought to overwhelm them (message of Pope Francis for the 97th World Mission Sunday), Brother Rodriguez was with the disoriented, discouraged and hurt people.
Our mission today: invite everybody to walk together in the path of peace and salvation that God has granted in Jesus Christ to all mankind.
(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
Sorrowful Mysteries
- The Agony of Jesus in the Garden
“O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Mat. 26:39)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Asia (yellow bead)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, bless our endeavor on the continent of Asia in implementing the Protocol for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults. We are fully aware of our duties, roles,and responsibilities as part of the Catholic Church to prevent and refuse any sexual crimes against children and vulnerable adults. Bless all endeavors, processes of assistance and recovery for the victims. Heal the hurt and trauma of the victims. May each person hand in hand work together and realize the importance of this protocol for the honor of mankind’s dignity and the purification process of the Church, as well as the path to repentance, spiritual renewal, and vocation. May the Church become a safe place for everybody. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
2. The Scourging of Jesus at the pillar
“They smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from Him, and put his own clothes on him.” (Mark 15:19-20a)
Prayer is intended for the Continent of Australia and Oceania (blue beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, bless the continent of Australia and Oceania with the grace of hope, love and faith. In nowadays housing crisis has caused many people lose their house and difficul to find help, especially the women and children. Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Saviour, promises that we will not be left orphans. Send Your help to those neglected. Let Your light of hope keep shining, conquering despair. Knock each heart, so that more people are aware of their neigbours and would lend a helping hand. May the authorities take quick action for a solution and service to a decent and affordable house for everybody. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
3. The Crowning with Thorns
“They platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head. And began to salute him, Hail King of the Jews!” (Mark 15:17-18)
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 unification of the continent of Europe. May everybody in this continent support each other and walk together as a mankind family. The continent of Europe has been Your blessed home for people from different nations, races, and cultures. Sometimes living together in diversity is not always easy. For this reason, grant humility and great love so that everybody would prioritize tolerance and respect for dignity and human rights. Protect them from the crime of racism, including the use of racist, anti-Semitic,and xenophobic arguments, in the public realm or political discourse that may result in unfavorable conditions and inter-ethnic conflict. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
4. The Carrying of the Cross
“And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.” (John 19:16b)
Prayer is intended for the continent of America (red beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we pray for Your wisdom to the people in the continent of America, for them to appreciate Your given value of life to mankind. Crimes against humanity, such as massacre and murder, have increased recently on this continent. Protect and save everyone from danger. Comfort and strengthen the families of the dead victims so that they can overcome the trauma and grief they have been undergoing. Guide the decision makers in making strict rules and sanctions in controlling the usage of firearms. May all layers of society work together to strive for public safety through the spirit of fraternity, love, and dialogue. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, and Saviour. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit; and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” (Luke 23:46)
Prayer is intended for the continent of Africa (green beads)
Lord Father and Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we come to you to pray for the continent of Africa. Religious life in several areas is still in threatened condition. The political conflict that turns into religious conflict has caused many people to suffer from persecution for defending their faith in You. Protect Christian communities from the threat of being kidnapped and murdered by the terrorists. May Your mercy and inclusion be showered upon this continent, and eliminate the terror, fear, and oppression experienced by Your people, so that they can pray and glorify again Your name as the Almighty Father. As we believe wherever sin increases, Your grace increases. 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) 