Union of God’s Family

Day 22
29th Tuesday in ordinary time, 22 October 2024
Feast : St. John Paul II, Pope
Reading : Eph. 2:12-22
Gospel : Luk. 12:35-38

“So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.”
(Ephesians 2:19)

The Synod of Bishops (2023-2024) theme is “Communion, Participation, Mission.” Regarding the theme of union, God’s mission is salvation and embracing every human being into fraternity and relationship with God. The Lord Jesus had begun the task, which later became the mission of the Church. In this case, the Church is called to build and serve communion, embracing and listening, humility and inclusivity, and developing a willingness to serve. This is also the responsibility of each baptized. The key to communion is solidarity, which is the main requirement for a shared mission.

The emergence of believers who wanted to be saved started from the acceptance of God’s Word which was preached by Jesus and then passed on by the Apostles. This task is done continuously in today’s Church. From those who believe, a community of believers emerges, those who join into communion and becomes the Church. In the first reading we are reminded by the Apostle Paul that when we believe in Jesus Christ, we become part of God’s family.

Pope Francis once said that in baptism, we bear a common burden: as members of the same mystical body of Christ, Christians are bound to one another and shall bear each other’s burdens. Regarding baptism and communion, the Pope said, “A Christian is someone grateful for his baptism, and this gratitude unites us in the community of all the baptized.” The Pope also emphasized the importance of walking in the community of faith so that we can encourage and strengthen each other in Christian discipleship (Vatican News, 2020).

Has the Church truly lived the meaning of this communion? It is not uncommon that we still see the exclusivity in the Church. There are certain people who then consciously and on purpose make a limit, separate or close themselves off, and obtain special privileges, thereby creating distance and weakening the existing bond of unity. Exclusivity arises when there are parties who feel they are different: better, greater, more deserving, and so on. It starts with thought and belief and then becomes a lifestyle and behavior. This tendency to separate is the root of division, not the communion that is the final goal of all human life: communion with God.

The essence of the Church is the communion of God’s people. We are one human family, and through baptism, we become children of God and get into God’s family. There is no one higher or lower, no one more worthy or less worthy, no one old or no one new. All are accepted with the same position and status as members of God’s family. “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.” (Eph. 2:19-21).

Today’s mission: building and developing a loving fraternity.

(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 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, we come to ask for Your mercy for the old people on the continent of Asia, those who are abandoned and have to take care of themselves and live in loneliness and impoverishment. Touch the hearts of the people around them, their families and children, social workers and volunteers, to have empathy for taking sincere care of them. Lift them from the despair of life and give them hope and faith in Your presence. In the abundance of Your boundless love, we pray that the elderly on this continent be able to live a life of dignity, security, peace, and joy with people who also love them. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.