Care For The Suffering

Day 7
27th Monday in ordinary time, 7 October 2024
Feast : Virgin Mary, our Lady of the Rosary
Reading : Gal. 1:6-12
Gospel : Luk. 10:25-37

“… Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
(Luke 10:25)

A scribe who asked Jesus, “… then who is my neighbor?” To answer this question, Jesus said a parable of the good Samaritan. In this story, a man was robbed, beaten injured, and laid on the street. Two men, a priest and a Levite, saw the injured man but they just passed by without stopping to help him. However, a Samaritan, who was despised by Jews, instead showed mercy and cared for the injured man with love.

This parable wants to tell us that love and care for others are not limited by social, cultural, or religious boundaries. The Samaritan not only felt compassion but also took concrete action to help the injured man. Jesus teaches us that loving others is not about who they are or what they believe but about how we respond to their suffering and needs with compassion. Christ’s disciples were sent to have a genuine concern for all people, whatever their social or even moral status.

Pope Francis also emphasized that caring for the suffering is a missionary calling for every disciple of Christ. Missions are not just about going to distant places to spread the Gospel, but also about seeing the needs of those around us and being willing to respond with a heart full of compassion. In a world torn apart by conflict, injustice, and indifference, caring for those who suffer has never been more important.

We are invited to be like the good Samaritan, who is not only compansionate but also willing to take real action. This means we have to get out of our comfort zone and directly get involved in other people’s suffering. This could mean giving our time, energy, or resources to help those in need. It can also mean giving attention and moral support to those who are going through difficult times. In every small act we do with love, we become living witnesses of Christ’s love in this world.

In facing the various challenges and suffering around us, we need to stick to Jesus’ example and live out His call to love others. When we see people suffering, let us ask ourselves, “How can I be the hands and feet of Christ to them?” The answer to this question is the key to living out our missionary calling in daily life.

As disciples of Christ, we are invited to always open our hearts and minds to the suffering of others and become agents of love and compassion in this world. We are called to see Christ in everyone, especially those who suffer, and to respond with concrete, loving action. In this way, we not only follow the example of the Good Samaritan but also fulfill our calling as faithful followers of Christ.
Through today’s Gospel reading, we are invited to renew our commitment to be more caring and loving individuals to others, especially those who are small, weak, marginalized, and suffering. Hopefully, by doing so, we can bring hope and love of Christ to the world in great need.
Today’s mission: realizing our caring through the act of sharing.

(Ignasius Lede – Commission for Mission of The Bishop’s Conference of Indonesia)

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

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, we pray for Your blessing to the continent of Asia. Today’s high level of mental health on our continent is very worrying. Grant peace to those who are struggling and worrying about serious problems in life. Clear every mind, touch, and heal the hurt. We pray that mental health workers, namely social workers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, and everybody involved in the effort to improve mental health, will be granted patience and sincerity and be enabled to be witnesses of your love. With Mother Mary, our mother and prayer, and Joseph, her loyal guard, we give ourselves into Your power for Your protection and care. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Intercessor. Amen.

Mary, mother of evangelization, mother of all nations, pray for 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 come to give thanks to the richness of culture and ethnicity on the continent of Australia and Oceania. From the beginning, You created humans different from one another, yet You love them equally. In the light of Your boundless love, we pray that the multi-cultural society on this continent respects and loves each other to reach justice and peace for everybody. Embrace the leaders and every individual so they can walk together in solidarity and strive the life together in the brotherhood free from hatred and discrimination. May they grow in the beauty of each culture, tribe, ethnicity, and religion and remain united in diversity. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Intercessor. Amen.

Mary, mother of evangelization, mother of all nations, pray for 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 your blessings for the continent of Europe. We pray that the migrants and refugees living on this continent can be welcomed and given the chance and assistance in order to live in a better condition. Open the eye of everybody’s heart so they can be called to be the guardians and protectors for those who have lost their home and life support, beyond national, religion, ethnic, and regional barriers. Remind us that we are created in diversities, but we are one family in Your love. We pray that those refugees and migrants regain their dignity as Your precious and beloved creatures. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Intercessor. Amen.

Mary, mother of evangelization, mother of all nations, pray for 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 that the continent of America will always be blessed with Your merciful grace. May those people, especially the former prisoners who have difficulty finding decent jobs, find a solution to survive. Open the door of opportunity for them in order to regain the trust of society for a better future. May Your power grant them strength to move forward in the path of repentance, not losing hope and faith, despite the challenges and difficulties ahead. Bring the joy of the Gospel to the people on this continent so that they can walk together in solidarity and build life together in equality, regardless of their background and past. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Intercessor. Amen

Mary, mother of evangelization, mother of all nations, pray for 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, we come to You to pray for the children on the continent of Africa. Many of them are recruited by armed groups and gangs forced to take part in wars, causing them to lose the right and opportunity to grow properly during their development age. Free them from adult’s trap of exploitation and protect them from bad influences that may ruin their future. Bless the effort of the humanitarian organizations and the people around the world who fight for the protection, freedom, and welfare of these children. Repent every heart that still insults the greatness of Your love by exploiting the children. We pray that the children of the world get their peaceful lives and praise the greatness of Your name. Through the intercession of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Intercessor. Amen.

Mary, mother of evangelization, mother of all nations, pray for 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