Day 2
26th Wednesday in ordinary time, 2 October 2024
Feast : The Guardian Angels
Reading : Exo 23:20-23a
Gospel : Matt. 18:1-5.10
“See I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.”
(Exo. 23:20)
Humans are God’s beloved. Let’s look at today’s two readings. The passage entitled “The Dangers of Idolatry” in the Book of Exodus is more about how God cares for humans. To every human being, God sends a guardian “angel” to walk before him. This means that humans don’t need to be confused or afraid of getting lost because there is always someone to guide them. This angel will be fully responsible for guiding humans to God’s prepared destination. The conditions are simple, yet not easy to fulfill: we have to “obey” the angel, God’s messenger, no denial nor disapproval. Disapproving the angel means opposing God because God’s name dwells in the angel. If humans can be obedient, they will be safe and secure against anything. “I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.”
However, the problem is that humans would rather forget, err, and be obstinate than follow the angel’s guidance and opt for a different path of their wishes. It looks like humans have forgotten how great God’s love is and the salvation He promises. It could be that humans underestimate the power and role of God in their lives. They feel proud of themselves and consider life as their own, which they can act freely as they wish, including determining their direction, rules, and goals. Then, new “mortal” goals are formed, focusing only on the present or short-term future, preoccupying worldly matters instead of heavenly ones.
What is the actual purpose of human life? As baptized Catholics, we believe in the faith that all of us live in communion with the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The fullness of communion with God is in heaven. Continuing the assurance of God’s involvement in leading humans to His specified destination, the Evangelist Matthew emphasized the issue of entering the Kingdom of Heaven. “…unless you turn and become like these children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
The goal of human life is not just pursuing success, happiness, or achievement in the world, but rather how to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, don’t focus on the wrong direction and spend your life in vain toward the wrong direction. Live a life by listening to the angels and doing God’s words. God wants us to love Him and love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
About the Kingdom of Heaven, there is one more thing that we need to remember, that everyone, no exceptions, is invited and promised salvation by God. No one can be underestimated in this matter, let alone thinking that only we or certain groups deserve the Kingdom of Heaven. Remember that “…whoever humbles himself becomes like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Today’s mission: presenting God’s mercy through words and actions.
(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 Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church this month:
Universal Church Intent: For a shared mission
We pray that the Church continues to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion, and the mission shared among priests, religious, and lay people.
Indonesian Church Intent: Health Institution
We pray that Health Institutions, both government and private, prioritize patient recovery and safety above the medical industry’s interest, and provide wholehearted service without discriminating socio-economic status.
MISSIONARY ROSARY PRAYER
God Almighty Father,
Your Son has appointed the Bishops as the successors of the Apostles to proclaim the Kingdom of God to grant salvation to humans. In the celebration of the 100th year of The Bishop’s Conference of Indonesia, the Catholics in Indonesia are grateful for the work of Your Holy Spirit, who has guided the Bishops and the faithful to walk together in building the Church and nation. We pray that with this celebration, Catholic churches in Indonesia will be more united and become a sign of the presence of Your love for others, especially those who are small, weak, poor, marginalized, and disabled. In the light of Your love, we pray that the church will be bolder in becoming the main mover to building true brotherhood and preserving the integrity of creation and commonwealth. With Mary, mother of all nations and model of faith, we unite all prayers and hopes. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Lord, and our Intercessor.
Amen
- 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 the people on the continent of Asia, especially young people. Bless the youth with a spirit of mission and fraternity in the love of Christ. May Catholic churches in Asia, with their spirit of synodality and togetherness, increasingly open their heart to willingly listen to the voices of young people. Guide Church leaders, especially Bishops and Priests, to sincerely attempt to understand the aspirations, anxieties, and dreams of young people so that they can realize the Church’s vision and mission in everyday life. With Your grace of faith, may the young Catholics in Asia dare to come out as witnesses of living faith amid global challenges like secularism, exploitation of humans and nature, and religious violence. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Intercessor. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
- 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 pray for Your love to the people with health impairment in Australia and Oceania. Like Your Son always shows His care and love to the weak and poor, we pray that we are also willing to take care of disabled people. Protect them from any violence, injustice, and oppression. We surrender our leaders and institutions to Your love so that they can strive for the inclusive program that provides the opportunity for disabled people to actively participate in social life and state. We pray that the presence of disabled people can become a sign of Jesus’ presence in the society of Australia and Oceania. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Intercessor. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
- 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, we pray for the presence of Your Holy Spirit, especially on the continent of Europe. Bless the community’s efforts in overcoming the climate crisis and protecting the earth as a common home. For the victims of severe floods in Western Europe and extreme drought in South Europe, grant them hope, comfort, and strength to rise up and reorganize their lives and the environment where they live. Guide every heart so that they can willingly do ecological repentance and realize their responsibility to love and take care of nature as our gratitude in human life. Together with Mother Mary, we surrender our effort to improve and preserve the nature of Europe. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Intercessor. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
- 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, we present the continent of America into Your hand, especially Ecuador. We pray that our brothers and sisters who are undergoing the wave of gang violence and murder threats may have the solution to this condition and stay safe. Bring eternal peace for the victims and comfort and strength to their families. Touch the perpetrators of violence and crime with Your love so that they may repent and turn to defend the lives of people. Guide the nation’s leaders to be wise and brave to eradicate the roots of violence and injustice, especially those who are small and weak. With the spirit of love and fraternity on this continent, may the people live together in peace. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Intercessor. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
- 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 come with our worries and hopes for our brothers and sisters who become the victims of human trafficking on the continent of Africa. Free them from misery and restore them so that they can return to living in dignity as creatures that You love. May all parties continue to fight against human trafficking to defend justice for the weak and vulnerable. Touch our hearts to be always sensitive, willing to feel compassion for those who suffer, and not remain silent to all forms of crimes against humanity. We pray that You bless every effort we make to defend justice and care for the survival of all humans on this earth. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Intercessor. Amen.
Mary Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all Nations, pray and protect us, your children!
Almighty God,
You have blessed Catholic churches in Indonesia with abundant grace. Through the celebration of the 100th year of The Bishop’s Conference of Indonesia, we give thanks to Your continuous grace to Catholic churches in Indonesia. In this celebration, we want to remember every mission step of the missionaries and believers in Indonesia. May Your missionary work remain alive and growing, and we can continue being witnesses of love and hope to others. Bless the missionary works of Your Church in every part of the country, so that more and more souls know, love, and be willing to come to You. Guide us to boldly become Your disciples who will faithfully proclaim the Gospel and do Your will in our daily lives. Mother Mary, Queen of Rosary and mission Protector, pray for us so that with your intercession, we can be closer to Jesus Christ, and illuminate His light of love throughout the world. With the intercession of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord and Intercession.
Amen
Situs Resmi Karya Misi Kepausan Indonesia (KMKI) 