Ministering with Humility

Weekly Missionary Reflection
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, 05 November 2023
Mal. 1:14b – 2:2b,8-10; Ps. 131:1,2,3; 1Thess. 2:7b-9,13; Matt. 23:1-12

Although religious life is centered on our relationship with God and others, in practice, as weak humans we are often tempted to exalt ourselves. Some people do ministry expecting something in return, like to be famous and well-known. Most of the time we forget that our ministry should come from our effort in imitating Jesus who is willing to serve people sincerely. 

Jesus reminds His disciples in today’s Gospel to be careful of the Scribes and Pharisees. It’s said that they preach but don’t practice. They separate religious practice from daily life. On the other hand, Jesus reminds the crowd that religious life is attached to our daily practice. Before the Loving God who loves us unconditionally, we are expected to keep our humility. “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matt. 23:11-12).

Dear brothers and sisters, in our religious lives, there is no room for exalting or asserting ourselves as Christians. Jesus repeatedly reminds us and gives examples to put love above all through ministering. Jesus’ teaching is completely contrary to the world, where people compete to be recognized and adored. Let us humbly ask the Father in heaven, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that we will be more enabled to imitate Jesus Christ who loves and ministers sincerely and humbly. God bless.

(Br. Kornelius Glossanto, SX – Xaverian Missionary)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in 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 the Indonesian Church of this month:

For the Pope
We pray for the Holy Father; as he fulfills his mission, may he continue to accompany the flock entrusted to him, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

For Sexual Violence
We pray that the ecclesiastical institutions can create a safe environment and sense of security and also enforce the protocol that can prevent sexual violence against the weak and vulnerable.

Amen.