Podcast appearances and mentions of Saint Gabriel

Delivered by Joanna from the Parish of Saint Gabriel in the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia. Exodus 40: 16-21.34-38; Rs psalm 84: 3.4.5-6a.8a.11; Matius 13: 47-53.GOD DETERMINES THE END The title for our meditation today is:God Determines the End. We often have a reliance attitude when a problem weencounter shows only a little sign for solution. Reliance or being dependentmeans giving up and stop to speak or to do action. But an act of reliance isnot becoming despair then aggravated with disappointment and sadness. The onewho relies or depends his problem to another person still leaves space forhope, because he is aware that the solution will eventually come with the helpof supporting factors such as time, other people, luck, even God. The most common one is our surrenderand reliance to God. For example, a fight between two parties that never ends.Family, religious and civil laws have their roles to offer solutions but theyare unable to come up with the best solution. The one who feels unlucky alwaysdisagrees and continues provoking the fight. Because they are sure that therewill be no point to end it up, they just give up. The last hope is for God todecide and judge. The trial will be done later on when ecah of them dies. Each mustbe responsible for his life in front of God. This example illustrates how Goddetermines the end of our earthly journey or exactly the problems we face inthis world. Jesus gives us the appropriate parable for this, namely that in theend the judgement in heaven will decide who is right and who is wrong. God doesnot make big decisions and judgements when there is still time for people inthe world to resolve their problems. God is very patient and tolerant toprovide sufficient opportunities so that we who are already bad and sinful canturn out to be good before we finally die. This strategy is of course theopposite of the way people commonly want to win over the problems they encounter and the loser will be certainly forothers. This mentality simply believes that the joy of victory achieved or thesadness of losing is already final. We need to believe that even only a small partof problem that comes along our way, it is not perceived to be the end orfinal. Our judgement is of this world, while the highest and final one is ofGod. Therefore the decision of God is the end that is for salvation or eternalpunishment. Like Moses and the people of Israelwho were guided by the power of God during the time of wandering in the desert,we are also guided in our pilgrimage in this world until we finally reach thefinal judgment. We only have the choice to believe and accept the judgement,because fearing and even rejecting it means we reject God Himself. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O Lord Jesus Christ, Your teaching through this parable reallyreminds us to welcome the final judgement for each one of us. May we alwayslook forward to that moment with faith and optimism. Our Father who art inheaven ... In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by Gladys from the Parish of Saint Gabriel in the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia. 2 Corinthians 4: 7-15; Rs psalm 126: 1-2ab.2cd-3.4-5.6; Matthew 20: 20-28INVERTED POWER The theme for our meditation today is:Inverted Power. What we mean by this term is that Jesus reverses humanunderstanding in general about power, authority and office which puts intoconflict relationship between master-servants, leader-members, and  the first-the last. If this relationship is followedaccordingly and correctly, the results would be orderliness, obedience to thelaw and the process goes well. But the negative effects of this relationshipwould be discouraging, namely selfishness, unhealthy competition, abuse ofpower, unavoidable discrimination, oppression of subordinants, corruption andviolence. Jesus worried if this would happen tothe apostles who were undergoing training of discipleship with Him. A specialrequest by John and his brother James whose feast we celebrate today, is anexample of desire that must be opposed by the principle of inverted power. WhatJesus wants to emphasize is to forget search and desire to be special, thefirst and in power. It would be very dignified and helpful to use revertedpower in the way of the Lord Jesus. In the reverted power, the veryimportant element is the power that contains love of the one towards othersdriven by sacrifice and service in humility. There are many examples for us.One of them is the man named Anthony. This elementary school teacher has beenworking at the very remote corner of Indonesian archipelago. He spent one fullyear at the beginning of his service to get to know each of his studentspersonally, their families and their backgrounds. He intended give attention to eachstudent appropriately and fairly. This young teacher committed to postpone hisintention to get married before his dream came true. Thus he could spend allhis energy, time, mind and faith to serve his students. In order for him to beclose and united with his students and their families, Anthony tried to speakthe local language, became friend to the children and making himself loved bythem, and ate with the children and their families. For this humble teacher, the LordJesus Christ became his source of life. Anthony always wanted to follow  the Master Jesus Christ who was willing tosuffer in all forms, for the sake of those He loved so much. Anthony would be agood example for us as we are celebrating today the feast of the Apostle James. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... Almighty God, may through the intercession of the apostle James, we continueto grow in our perseverance to become truly your committed servants in your Kingdomin this world. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... Inthe name of the Father ...