Day 26
29th Saturday in ordinary time, 26 October 2024
Feast : St. Lucian and St. Marcian
Reading : Eph. 4:7-16
Gospel : Luk. 13:1-9
“He said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. Cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’”
(Lukas 13:7)
Today’s Gospel reading calls for repentance. Jesus warned clearly not to think that others are more sinful and that they are the only ones who will perish. Instead, we must always be alert and willing to change ourselves and instantly repent. Everyone must repent!
We may be negligent in our sins and mistakes and “take God for granted” or underestimate God and think that He will keep accepting us with our sins. Didn’t Jesus teach that God’s love and forgiveness have no limit? Remember the story of Peter asking Jesus how often he should forgive his brother?
Let’s look at Jesus’ teachings fully, not just part of it. In referring to forgiveness, it is true that He teaches and asks us to forgive without limits. Just like God’s love for humans, the love that sincerely sacrifices His Son, the Only Begotten Son, to save human lives. Through one man’s (Adam) sin, human beings inherit original sin. However, through one person (Jesus), our sins are completely cleansed, redeemed, and saved. To sinners, Jesus even said that He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, so that they would repent (cf. Luke 5:32).
However, this unlimited forgiveness from God does not mean endless forgiveness, which is no different from the pampering or neglect of parents to their children who repeatedly make the same mistakes because they know that they will be forgiven. No. God’s forgiveness has a purpose, that is repentance. If forgiveness seems unlimited, it is because the time limit is yet to come. When is it? When the Kingdom of Heaven comes! “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” (Matt. 3:2).
The invitation to the Kingdom of Heaven or His Wedding Banquet is indeed offered to everyone, even to those unworthy, including sinners. That’s what Jesus’ disciples were sent for: to people who don’t know Jesus and who just know Jesus, to the sick and sinners. However, as told in the story of the Wedding Banquet (cf. Matt. 22), not everyone is welcome at the banquet even though at the beginning, it showed that everyone was invited and could come. In the end, when the banquet is about to start, that is the time to do the final selection. Only those in “festival attire” may sit at the banquet. Wearing party clothes at a wedding banquet means understanding the situation and kind of celebration he is attending and making himself deserved as a banquet guest. In referring to the Kingdom of Heaven, we deserve ourselves with repentance. Not just repentance verbally before the priest in the confessional, but also repentance of the heart and a real change in life, away from sin.
In the parable of the fig tree, it is stated explicitly that God wants us to bear fruit because He has furnished us with various kinds of gifts and talents. If we then do not use these gifts and talents to bear abundant fruit for others in life, we are like a barren fig tree. For this reason, don’t waste your life by pursuing temporary pleasure and self-satisfaction, instead, prepare and make yourself deserved and bear much fruit so that when the Kingdom of Heaven comes, you will be worthy to enter and be accepted.
Today’s mission: living the virtues
(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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Situs Resmi Karya Misi Kepausan Indonesia (KMKI) 