Weekly Missionary Reflection
Sunday, 17 December 2023
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Isa. 61:1-2a,10-11; Luk. 1:46-48,49-50,53-54; 1Thess. 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-28
Light and darkness are symbols mostly found in almost all religions and cultures. Darkness is often linked to blindness, uncertainty, no hope, fear, and death. As humans sleep at night, the darkness is linked to unconsciousness and unpreparedness. In the other part of the world, darkness and winter are linked to each other: when the sun shines on the earth in a very short time. Earth becomes cold and unproductive. Hence, darkness is also linked to death, grief, and wailing.
It makes sense if humans appreciate light and daytime. Light is the symbol of enlightenment, hope, life future, and transformation. The language of all religions and cultures is full of the word of light. Light is often linked to glory. So light, brightness, lightning, etc are often used with the transfiguration. In the fourth Gospel, John came not to baptize Jesus, instead he came to testify to Him as the Light, who would lead humans to true life. John invites us to testify to the true Light, who will set the humans free from fear and uncertainty, from grief and death. Bearing witness to the True Light is the calling and mission of all of us. Like John, all of us “are sent from God” to testify (v. 6). The task of God is not just a hobby and adventure. Our testimony and mission are God’s calling, not an obligation or compulsion.
John testified to Jesus, the Light to the world. He was not the light (v. 8). John emphasized that he was not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor a Prophet (v. 20-21). He was only “the voice” of the Light (v. 23). It means John’s testimony is only about Jesus Christ, the Light, nothing else. This statement is relevant. Testimony can easily be used as publicity for self-spiritual achievement. It is very easy to contain the testimony not of Christ but of Me, not for Jesus but for the sake of money.
The purpose of John’s testimony is clear: “so that all might believe through Him” (v. 7b). It is very easy to attract the audience towards the speaker instead of God. Preaching and reflection can easily lead the audience to personal thinking and ideas, not to faith in God. Scripture sharing can easily turn into showing off expertise in interpreting and compiling the holy verses.
Look at how John testified: persistent and firm. He persistently and firmly cried out to make straight the way of the Lord (v. 23). Testimony to Jesus Christ is not an instant and seasonal mission, it is a lifetime calling to boldly and constantly say the truth. John had to deal with the officers who suspected him and was fear of losing their jobs. True witnesses of Jesus Christ will be suspected, investigated, hated, and asked to stop. However, like John, they have to keep testifying to Jesus: for He indeed has come into this world, the dark world searching for the True Light.
(Hortensius Mandaru – Indonesian Bible Society)
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 persons with disabilities
We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society and that institutions may offer inclusive programs that value their active participation.
Climate change
We pray to have a grateful heart that God is willing to be a human living in this world and with this gratitude, we are encouraged to individually or collectively overcome the problem of climate change and environmental damage that is threatening this earth.
Amen.
Situs Resmi Karya Misi Kepausan Indonesia (KMKI) 