Strong in The Lord

Day 31
30th Thursday in ordinary time, 31 October 2024
Feast : St. Br. Alphonsus Rodriguez
Reading : Eph. 6:10-20
Gospel : Luk. 13:31-35

“Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from His mighty power.”
(Ephesians 6:10)

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and warned Him about Herod who planned to kill Him. But Jesus replied calmly and rigidly, “Go and tell that fox: I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.” In this situation, Jesus showed extraordinary courage and determination to perform His mission, despite threats to His life.

From the example of Jesus, who remained resolved in the midst of threats and difficulties, we can reflect on the message of being strong in God. Jesus was not afraid of Herod. Jesus stayed strong because he knew that He was doing God and Father’s work and that His strength came from His relationship with the Father. Jesus’ courage was not reckless or ridiculous, but it came from a deep faith in God’s love and plan.

As disciples of Christ, we are also invited to have such faith in our daily lives. Life is not always easy; sometimes, we face challenges, trials, or even threats that can make us feel afraid and worried. Perhaps we are facing a serious illness, losing a job, family conflict, or other kinds of adversity. In such situations, it is easy to feel weak or hopeless.

However, today’s Gospel reading reminds us that true strength does not come from our abilities or our safe situation. True strength comes from God. When we completely trust God and live to His will, we will find strength beyond our limits. Just like Jesus, we are called to rely on God’s strength to face life’s challenges.

Jesus also reminds us that He does care about our salvation. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus describes himself as a hen gathering her brood under her wings. This is a picture of very tender and caring love. God wants to protect and save us, but we shall also be willing to come to Him and shelter under His wings of love.

Often, we are trapped in the desire to rely on our own strength or seek human solution to our problems. However, in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us to always return to God as our source of strength and protection. Jesus shows that even though this world is full of dangers and threats, we can find calm and strength in God.

Learning from today’s Gospel reading we are invited to be strong in God like Jesus. When we face difficulties, let’s remember to rely on God’s strength. When we feel tired or hopeless, come to God in prayer and let Him be the Source of our strength. The same God who gave Jesus the strength to face any threat will also give us the strength to face whatever we encounter in our lives. Let us keep striving to be strong in God, rely on Him in everything, and trust that He is always with us.

Today’s mission: stay firm in faith, rely on the truth, and step on in justice and willingness to preach the Gospel.

(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 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