I Come To Set Fire on Earth

Day 24
29th Thursday in ordinary time, 24 October 2024
Feast : St. Antony Mary Claret, Bishop
Reading : Eph. 3:14-21
Gospel : Luk. 12:49-53

“From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.”
(Luke 12:52)

Dear beloved missionary friends,
When we were in the Boy Scouts we used to sing: “Our fire is burning. Our fire is burning. Fire.. fire.. fire, fire, fire… Our fire is burning.” We sang it with joy and enthusiasm. We repeated louder and louder to call other friends to come to gather around the campfire and together we sang more and more enthusiastically, “Our fire is burning.”

Jesus also lit a fire on earth, in our hearts, in the life of every human being. Today’s Gospel proclaims Jesus’ statement, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Luke 12:49). Jesus hoped that the fire would not be extinguished, but would continue to burn and become more intense. This fire will irritate those who live carelessly, live as they please, and lives filled with evil intentions and behavior, envy, and other dirty desires. The fire will burn out those who glorify their ego, arbitrariness, arrogance, and hypocrisy. The fire of Christ will eradicate the power of the devil and his minions.

Fire will scorch and destroy. But, not everything burned will be destroyed. In fact, there is something that needs fire to be perfect. Bricks or roof tiles, for instance. In order for the bricks or tiles to be perfect and can be used properly, they must first be burned till cooked.

Jesus was willing to be “burned” with the fire of suffering and died on the cross because of His deep love for His God Father and human being. Through the fire of passion and the cross, He was risen by His God-Father. This means that the whole life of Jesus, His words, and actions were accepted and justified by the God Father. The fire of passion, the cross, and the resurrection are the paths to the salvation of humans.

As in our lives, not everything that hurts will make us down and destroyed. On the other hand, bitter and painful things and happenings, contradictions, and conflicts can actually turn out to be a means and path to personal maturity. In his letter to the Ephesians in today’s first reading, St. Paul strengthens us in our hard situation, “He (God the Father) strengthens you with power through His Spirit within you, so that through your faith Christ will dwell in your heart, and you are rooted and grounded in love.” Saint Paul asserted, “God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or think, as in accord with the power within us.”

Dear missionary friends, let us continue to keep the fire of Christ by being His witnesses. Our mission is to bear witness to Christ and God’s love through our words and deeds so that more and more people can witness, feel, and experience God’s love with our loving words and the merciful actions of our hands.

Today’s mission: persistently bearing witness despite of contradiction and conflict.

(RD. M Nur Widipranoto – Campus Ministry of Atma Jaya University, Yogyakarta)

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 Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
   “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him, I am well pleased.”” (Matt. 3:16-17)

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 implementing the Protocol for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults in Indonesia to provide a safe Church for everyone. Strengthen our commitment to striving to protect and care for the children and those who are vulnerable from acts of violence and sexual harassment. May the light of Your love unite our hearts to work together in humility, uphold justice for the victims, and provide sincere assistance and required rehabilitation so that the victims can overcome their trauma and turn back to being part of the Church. Make the perpetrators of sexual harassment repent so that they realize and regret their deeds and turn to You. 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!

2. The Wedding of Cana
   “At the request of Mary, His mother, Jesus overcame the lack of wine. That what Jesus did […] This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” (John 2:11)

Prayer is intended for the continent of Australia & Oceania (blue beads)
Lord Father and Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we ask for the presence of Your Holy Spirit, especially for those undergoing cost of living crisis on the continent of Australia. Many are burdened and live in poverty. They are unable to get medical care and cannot fulfill their basic daily needs, so they have to depend on others. May Your merciful grace flow on this continent, so that the doors of aid are open and the cost of living crisis can soon pass. Restore the dignity of everyone, especially those who are small, weak, poor, marginalized and disabled. We pray that justice and shared prosperity can be created on this continent so that no more people will be forgotten and suffer. 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!

3. The proclamation of the Kingdom of God
   “Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” (Mat. 4:17.23)

Prayer is intended for the continent of Europe (white beads)
Lord Father and Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we ask for the grace of discipleship and love for all Your people on the Continent of Europe. We pray that the Catholic Church on the European continent remains steadfast in proclaiming Your love and truth in this increasingly secular world. Bless the Church leaders, especially Pope Francis, who has invited everyone to walk in the spirit of communion, participation and mission. We pray these good initiatives may bring new freshness and make your Church more adaptive yet remain missionary in facing diverse cultural contexts and changing times. Strengthen all Christ’s disciples in faith and service so that they can become faithful witnesses of Your love and truth. We pray that they don’t get tired of meeting people all over the world to extend the invitation to the Kingdom of God. 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!

4. The Transfiguration
   “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matt. 17:2.5)

Prayer is intended for the continent of America (red beads)
Lord Father and Mary, Mother of Evangelization, of all nations, we ask you to bless the continent of America with the Spirit of knowledge and light. We pray that our brothers and sisters on this continent, who face big challenges in accessing proper education due to financial problems, can find solutions to continue their education. Guide national leaders and people involved in education to be able to create a quality education system that is affordable and accessible to everyone. Strengthen the fighting spirit of the students to continue studying persistently and strive for their future. Give them wisdom, perseverance, and emotional intelligence to face every challenge. We pray that the students do not lose hope and that You are always with them in their efforts to achieve their dreams. 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!

5. The institution of the Eucharist
   “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” (Mark 14:22-24)

Prayer is intended for the continent of Africa (green beads)
Lord Father and Mary, Mother of Evangelization, Mother of all nations, we come to pray for our brothers and sisters on the continent of Africa, especially in Sudan, where people are suffering from civil war and prolonged conflict. Grant love, fraternity, and peace to them so that hatred, revenge, and fear can be eradicated from everyone’s hearts. May the light of Your wisdom make leaders, especially elites in conflict, be willing to abandon the arrogance of power and the interests of their group, for the sake of common interest and prosperity. Comfort and strengthen the victims and their families, so that they can rise with hope and faith in Your presence. We pray that all wounds can be healed and everyone will work together to build a civilization of love. 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