Podcast appearances and mentions of Saint Peter

Dibawakan oleh Melpha Adelina dari Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Ayub 9: 1-12.14-16; Mazmur tg 88: 10bc-11.12-13.14-15; Lukas 9: 57-62.TEMPAT TERHORMAT Tema renungan kita pada hari ini ialah: Tempat Terhormat. Pada hari iniGereja kita merayakan peringatan Santo Hironimus. Ia belajar hukum di Roma,sekaligus belajar teologi. Setelah bertobat dan dibaptis, ia kemudian memilihhidup bertapa. Dalam fokus studi dan bertapa itu ia memilih berkonsentrasiuntuk belajar kitab suci di padang gurun Siria, wilayah Timur Tengah.  Atas pilihan yang istimewa tersebut, Paus Damasus I lalu menugaskan diauntuk menerjemahkan kitab suci ke dalam bahasa Latin, yang kemudian dikenaldengan sebutan vulgata. Di dalam Gereja, ia dikenal sebagai ahli kitab suciluar biasa. Perkataannya yang terkenal ialah: mengetahui kitab suci berartimengetahui Yesus Kristus. Tidak tahu kitab suci berarti tidak tahu YesusKristus. Berangkat dari prinsip ajaran Santo Hironimus itu, bahwa orang yangmengetahui kitab suci berarti ia mengetahui Yesus Kristus, sebenarnya kitasedang diarahkan kepada suatu pertanyaan sederhana ini: Bagaimana orang dapatmengetahui kitab suci itu? Atau pertanyaan yang serupa adalah: Apa saja yangdapat kita ketahui dari kitab suci? Jawaban yang umum ialah, bahwa kita dapatmengetahui banyak sekali tentang isi kitab suci, dan karena itu kita dapatmengetahui banyak sekali tentang Yesus Kristus.  Selama kita selalu membaca, mendengar, merenungkan, dan menghayati kitabsuci, kita mengalami pribadi Yesus Kristus sendiri. Pada hari ini kita kembalimengenal diri Tuhan Yesus Kristus, yang mengajarkan kita tentang tempatterhormat di dalam Kerajaan-Nya. Tempat terhormat itu disediakan bagiorang-orang yang berhak dan layak menempatinya. Siapakah orang-orang yangberhak dan layak untuk menempati tempat terhormat tersebut? Ketika Anda menjadi tamu yang diundang oleh seseorang, Anda akandipersilakan untuk duduk di tempat spesial, misalnya persis di samping tuanrumah yang mengundang. Seperti inilah Tuhan menyiapkan tempat yang persis disamping-Nya, di dalam kerajaan surga, bagi orang-orang yang menjadipilihan-Nya. Ada banyak kriteria yang ditetapkan oleh Yesus supaya kita dapatmemenuhi kelayakan dan hak penuh untuk duduk di samping-Nya. Salah satu syarat penting ialah yang ditunjukkan Yesus pada hari ini. Iamemanggil orang-orang yang dengan rela dan bebas ingin mengikuti Dia supayamereka tidak membatasi dirinya dengan syarat apa pun. Untuk mendapatkan tempatbersama dan di dalam Dia, seseorang cukup saja menetapkan pilihan hatinyadengan sepenuh hati. Nasihat dari nabi Ayub tentang ini ialah begini: meskipunkita dianugerahi tempat terhormat di dalam Allah, kita tetap harus taatmenjalankan kehendak-Nya, dan bukan mengikuti kehendak kita sendiri. Marilah kita berdoa.Dalam nama Bapa... Ya Bapa mahamurah, semoga melalui firman-Mu ini, kamimenjadi semakin rendah hati dan tulus dalam melaksanakan kehendak-Mu. SalamMaria, penuh rahmat ... Dalam nama Bapa ...

Delivered by May Ann Rodrigo from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Isaiah 66: 10-14b; Rs psalm 131: 1.2.3; Matthew 18: 1-5.GOD IS PLEASED WITH THE LITTLE ONES The theme for our meditation today is: God is Pleasedwith the Little Ones. At the moment when she was about to pass away as a24-year-old contemplative Carmelite nun, Saint Therese uttered her last wordsthat went like this: "My Lord, I love You!" This expression of prayeronce was repeated so fervently by the children and young people in one ofremotest parishes, who were having a full year faith formation program. Inone of those occasions when the Bishop of that diocese was also present, achild approached the Bishop and asked in this way: "What is the bestprayer for children when they like to pray?" The Bishop replied: "Follow the example of SaintTherese of the Child Jesus who always prayed in these words, 'O my Lord, I loveYou'. The Bishop asked the children to repeat this prayer every day, apart fromsaying common prayers such as "Our Father" and "Hail Mary".The children were delighted and satisfied by this brief and very touchingprayer. When children want to repay kindness and care they have received fromtheir parents, teachers and anyone else, they usually say the word "thankyou" and there might be no more additional explanation to it. If anexplanation is needed, it would be appropriate for them to simply say: "Ilove You". Today Saint Theresa teaches us to love God in the sameway the children do, namely with simplicity and with the reality of our dailylives. Christian spirituality shown in the life of children, emphasizes thespirit of dependence on God and living in gratitude. The scriptures show howthe Lord provides a very important place for those whom He chooses, namelychildren and young people. Our today's readings indicate that people who areinsignificant and smallest according to human view, will be the greatest in theKingdom of Heaven because it is according to the will of God. God's will is fulfilled when we heed His invitationthat we need to fight our human pride. This is the capital sin that move peopleto always look for position, power, wealth, and fame. God is so pleased with thelittle ones and are abandoned in order to humiliate those who always think ofthemselves better and holier than others. One of the ways to overcome our prideis to follow the way that the Prophet Job had, especially when he faced all theadversities in his life. In that situation, he still believed and depended onGod. This is really the attitude of a child, because he only knows that God isthe ruler of life. Job's strong faith was expressed in this way: "It isGod who gives, it is God who takes away, praise the name of God." Thewords of this prayer are the same as the prayer we have just mentioned earlier:"O my Lord, I love You." Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O most loving God, may our lives todaydepend solely on Your providence and increase in us the sense of gratitude.Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name ofthe Father ...

Dibawakan oleh Agustina Sitorus dari Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Yesaya 66: 10-14b; Mazmur tg 131: 1.2.3; Matius 18: 1-5.TUHAN SENANG DENGAN YANG KECIL Tema renungan kita pada hari iniialah: Tuhan Senang Dengan Yang Kecil.  SantaTeresa ketika meninggal dunia sebagai biarawati Karmel kontemplatif berusia 24tahun, mengucapkan kata-katanya yang terakhir: “Ya Tuhanku, aku mengasihiEngkau!” Seruan doa ini selalu diulangi oleh para anggota bina iman anak danremaja di salah satu paroki pelosok Indonesia. Dalam suatu kesempatan bertemudengan Uskup yang berkunjung, seorang anak bertanya kepada Sang Gembala: “Doaapa yang paling bagus untuk didoakan oleh anak-anak?” Uskup menjawab: “Ikutilah contohSanta Teresa dari Kanak-Kanak Yesus yang berdoa, ‘Ya Tuhanku, aku mengasihiEngkau'. Uskup meminta supaya anak-anak selalu mengulangi doa itu setiap hari,selain mendoakan doa-doa yang sudah umum didoakan seperti “Bapa Kami” dan“Salam Maria”. Anak-anak merasa senang dan tertarik dengan doa yang singkat dansangat menyentuh ini. Ketika anak-anak ingin membalas kebaikan yang merekaterima entah dari orang tua, guru dan siapa pun, mereka ucapkan kata “terimakasih” dan tidak ada penjelasannya. Sekiranya diperlukan penjelasan, sangatlahtepat kalau meraka cukup saja mengatakan: “Aku mengasihi Engkau”. Pada hari ini Santa Teresamengajarkan kita untuk mengasihi Tuhan dengan cara-cara seperti anak-anakkecil, yaitu kesederhanaan dan nyata dengan kehidupan kita sehari-hari.Spiritualitas Kristen yang berciri gaya hidup anak-anak kecil mengutamakan polahidup ketergantungan kepada Tuhan dan hidup dalam semangat bersyukur. Kitabsuci menyebutkan bagaimana Tuhan memberikan tempat sangat penting untukpilihannya kepada yang kecil dan muda. Yesus menegaskan di dalam Injil hari inibahwa yang terkecil menurut anggapan manusia, akan menjadi yang terbesar,karena Tuhan akan menjadikannya demikian.  Tuhan mengajak kita untuk melawansikap sombong ketika orang mempunyai posisi, kekuasaan, kekayaan, danketenaran. Tuhan sangat berkenan kepada mereka yang kecil dan yang tidakdiperhitungkan untuk mempermalukan mereka yang selalu menganggap dirinya lebihbagus dan hebat. Salah satu cara untuk mengatasi kesombongan kita ialah denganmenganut prinsip yang dimiliki oleh Ayub, khususnya pada saat ia menghadapisemua peristiwa kemalangan di dalam hidupnya. Dalam situasi itu, ia tetappercaya dan bergantung pada Tuhan. Ini benar-benar sikap seorang anak kecil, iahanya tahu bahwa Tuhan adalah penyelenggara kehidupan. Ayub berkata begini:“Tuhanlah yang memberi, Tuhanlah yang mengambil, terpujilah nama Tuhan.” Ucapandoa ini sama dengan ucapan yang pertama tadi: “Ya Tuhanku, aku mengasihiEngkau.” Marilahkita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa... Ya Tuhan, semoga hidup kami hari inibenar-benar hanya bergantung pada penyelenggaraan-Mu dan penuhilah hati kamidengan rasa syukur. Kemuliaan kepada Bapa dan Putra dan Roh Kudus ... Dalamnama Bapa ...

Delivered by Nicole Orlincallysta Yakob and Michelle Jordyn Limanta from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Daniel 7: 9-10.13-14; Rs psalm 138: 1-2a.2bc-3.4-5; John 1: 47-51.ANGELS ARE SERVANTS The theme for our meditation today is: Angels AreServants. Angels are the inhabitants of heaven who live with the Triune God,who have never experienced a life like all human beings in the world. They arespiritual creatures who have been with God since the existence of the kingdomof Heaven. God reveals His will and power when He is dealing with His creation.In the life of this kingdom, the role of angels is to serve the almighty God. In our celebration of liturgy, the Eucharist anddevotional prayers, we mention angels in connection with their common dutywhich is to sing and to give praise to the Almighty God. They are like asecurity troop that guards and serves all activities in the Kingdom of heaven.There are two special duties of this troop. The first is to protect all humanbeings from any harm and from losing the way in their journey of faith. Theyare called the guardian angels for us the believers. The guardian angels do nothave names  and they are not our patronsaints who actually have names. The second special task is to carry out and to fulfillsome great tasks from the Almighty God. They are called the archangels who havenames, namely Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael. With the term"great" attached to them, it means that their role as heavenlyservants are very important. The scriptures as the official sources for divinerevelation, give us an evidence of faith in these three archangels, whose namesand roles are clearly elaborated. They are different from other angels who haveno names and specific works for each of them.  The archangel Michael is mentioned in the scripturesand also explained in the sacred tradition of the Church as a soldier whodefends the people of God and fights against the great enemy of the Church. Forexample, in the book of Daniel (12,1), Michael is depicted as the one whofights the enemy and defends the People of God from the attacks of theAnti-Christs. Michael is always depicted as the one standing great and strongwhile holding a sword. The archangel Gabriel is described in the scripturesas the servant and bearer of joyful and greatest news from God to His people onearth. For example, he came to Daniel and revealed the message of the coming ofthe Messiah (8, 16-26; 9, 21-27). In the Gospel of Luke, he came to bringjoyful news of John the Baptist's birth (Luke 1,11-20), and he brought also thejoyful news to the Virgin Mary about the birth of Jesus Christ. The ArchangelRaphael is known to us in the Church as the minister for healing blindness,disease, and he also the protector for our journeys. He healed Tobit from hisblindness. He is shown in the Gospel of John as a healer for the sick men atthe pool of Siloam. We should be always grateful to God for giving us thesethree archangels.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, make us always faithful to followthe instruction and guidance of Your archangels. Glory to the Father and to theSon and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

Dibawakan oleh Rumenta Gita Fransisca dari Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Daniel 7: 9-10.13-14; Mazmur tg 138: 1-2a.2bc-3.4-5; Yohanes 1: 47-51.MALAIKAT ADALAH PELAYAN Tema renungan kita pada hari iniialah: Malaikat Adalah Pelayan. Para penghuni surga selain Allah Tritunggal,yang tidak pernah mengalami hidup sebagai manusia ialah para malaikat. Merekaadalah makhluk roh yang berada bersama Allah sejak adanya kerajaan Surga. TuhanAllah menyatakan kekuasaan-Nya ketika Ia berhadapan dengan makhluk ciptaan.Untuk melangsungkan kehidupan kerajaan itu, peran para malaikat ialah melayaniAllah. Di dalam perayaan liturgi,Ekaristi dan doa-doa devosional, penyebutan para malaikat selalu dikaitkandengan tugas umum mereka yaitu bernyanyi dan bersorak ria memuji Allah yang Mahatinggi.Mereka seperti bala tentara yang mengelilingi dan siap untuk menjalankan tugaspelayanan di dalam kerajaan surga. Tugas khususnya ada dua, yaitu melaksanakantugas-tugas perlindugan kepada manusia dari bahaya dan penyesatan. Mereka inidisebut para malaikat pelindung bagi setiap manusia yang percaya. Malaikatpelindung tidak mempunyai nama dan ia bukan sebagai santo-santa pelindung kita. Tugas khusus yang lain ialahmembawa dan menjalankan tugas-tugas maha besar dari Allah yang maha tinggi.Mereka ini disebut para malaikat agung dan yang memiliki nama, yaitu Mikael,Gabriel, dan Rafael. Dengan istilah “agung” melekat pada diri mereka, artinyaperan mereka sebagai pelayan sangatlah penting. Pembuktian oleh kitab sucisebagai sumber resmi yang kita imani mencatat bahwa ketiga malaikat inidisebutkan dan dituliskan namanya dan dijelaskan peran masing-masingnya.Sementara para malaikat lainnya tidak disebutkan nama dan pekerjaan yangmasing-masing lakukan. Malaikat Mikael disebutkan didalam kitab suci dan dalam kehidupan tradisi suci Gereja sebagai pembela danserdadu yang berperang melawan musuh Tuhan dan gereja-Nya. Misalnya di dalamkitab Daniel (12,1), Mikael digambarkan bangkit untuk melawan musuh danmempertahankan Gereja dari serangan para Anti-Kristus. Mikael selaludigambarkan berdiri tegap dan gagah sambil memegang pedang. Malaikat Gabriel digambarkan didalam kitab suci sebagai pelayan dan pembawa kabar sukacita dari Allah kepadamanusia. Misalnya ketika Ia diperlihatkan Daniel tentang kedatangan dan peranyang dilakukan oleh Mesias (8, 16-26; 9, 21-27), dalam Injil Lukas tentangkabar suka cita kelahiran Yohanes Pembaptis (Lukas 1,11-20), dan kabar sukacita kepada Perawan Maria tentang kelahiran Yesus Kristus. Malaikat Rafaeldikenal oleh Gereja sebagai pelayan bagi kesembuhan dari kebutaan, penyakit,dan pelindung perjalanan. Ia menyembuhkan Tobit dari kebutaannya. Di dalamInjil Yohanes, ia menjadi kekuatan kesembuhan bagi orang-orang sakit di kolamSiloam. Marilahkita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa... Ya Tuhan, jadikanlah kami setia mengikutipetunjuk para malaikat-Mu. Kemuliaan kepada Bapa dan Putra dan Roh Kudus ...Dalam nama Bapa ...

Delivered by Theodorus Kefi and Martinus Dominikus Lanang from Saint Peter's School in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Job 1: 6-22; Rs psalm 17: 1-3.6-7; Luke 9: 46-50.GOD DOES NOT CLOSE HIS EYES ON US Our meditation today has the theme: God Does Not CloseHis Eyes on Us. In one occasion of the lesson in the classroom, a studentasked his teacher: "Sir, isn't it true that in heaven, God and thosearound him often talk and discuss about us on earth?" The teacher was abit confused to answer that question. However, there was a student sitting atthe back who raised his hand and wanted to give an answer. He said: "Itis. God and Satan are always arguing about our situation on earth." What the student had said was not a joke or merelywords without meaning. Regardless of whether he had the exact knowledge of itor not, what indeed happens between God and Satan is the communication betweenthem that takes place in their context and time. According to the scriptures,especially the passage from the prophet Job in today's first reading, there isa discussion between God and Satan about life of human beings in the world. Jobrepresents all human beings who are faithful but at the same time fragile, weakand of course, the target of the evil strategy of Satan and his helpers. But Godtakes control over all human beings. God knows that Satan really wants to tempt men andwomen of the world, and God allows it to happen because Satan also has hispower on the earth. Yet God restricts Satan from destroying human beings. TheLord Jesus Christ, who represents the living God in the world, has a duty toprotect and care for those who are little ones, sick, oppressed andmarginalized from the evil treatment of the Satan's power in the world. In Hishands and power, none of the people whom the Father has entrusted to Him isdestroyed and lost. Even though Satan would have all possibilities to bring troubleson the human persons who are weak and hopeless, it will not succeed to takethem out from the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. The little ones who are sick, oppressed and thesinners are certainly the most vulnerable in our society and Church who areprone to fall into the power of Satan and all his helpers. But God will notclose His eyes on these poor ones. Likewise, we who have the commitment offaith in Him often become the targets of Satan and all of his works. God alsowill not close His eyes and allow us to perish by Satan's deeds. God actually wishesthat all those whom He protects and saves eventually come to be the citizens ofHis Kingdom. They will be made greatest in His Kingdom. This serves as awarning to those who are arrogant, selfish, abusive and destructive in theworld, and who have been ruled by Satan. Today, we can see the compassionateface of the Lord Jesus as our Good Shepherd who defends and protects us all thetimes.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus, protect us from all forms ofSatan's work to tempt and destroy us. Hail Mary, full of grace ... In name ofthe Father ...

Dibawakan oleh Oswaldus Coo dari Saint Peter's School di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Ayub 1: 6-22; Mazmur tg 17: 1-3.6-7; Lukas 9: 46-50.TUHAN TIDAK MENUTUP MATANYATENTANG KITA Renungan kita pada hari inibertema: Tuhan Tidak Menutup Mata-Nya Tentang Kita. Di dalam satu kesempatanpelajaran di kelas, seorang murid bertanya kepada gurunya: "Pa Guru,apakah di dalam surga, Tuhan dan mereka yang di sekelilingnya berbicara danberdiskusi tentang kita?" Bapak guru yang sedang mengajar itu tampak agakbingung untuk menjawab pertanyaan itu. Namun ada seorang murid yang dudukpaling belakang mengangkat tangan dan ingin memberikan jawaban. Ia berkata:"Di sana, Tuhan dan Iblis selalu bertengkar tentang keadaan kita dibumi." Apa yang dikatakan oleh murid itubukan sebagai candaan atau guyonan semata. Terlepas dari apakah ia memilikipengetahuan yang persis tentang itu atau tidak, namun yang terjadi antara Tuhandan Iblis memang ada komunikasi di antara mereka. Di dalam kitab suci,khususnya yang ditunjukkan oleh kitab nabi Ayub dalam bacaan pertama hari ini,ada sebuah diskusi antara Tuhan Allah dan Iblis seputar kehidupan manusia didunia. Ayub merepresentasi semua manusia yang beriman namun rapuh, lemah dantentu menjadi target strategi jahat Iblis dan para pembantunya. Namun semuamanusia itu ada dalam kontrol Tuhan. Tuhan mengetahui bahwa Iblissangat ingin menggodai manusia, dan Tuhan mengijinkannya karena Iblis jugamemiliki kuasa di atas bumi. Tetapi Tuhan membatasi Iblis untuk tidakmembinasakan manusia. Tuhan Yesus Kristus yang menjadi pribadi Allah yang hidupdi dalam dunia memiliki tugas untuk melindungi dan memelihara orang-orangkecil, sakit, tertindas dan termarginalkan oleh berbagai macam kekuasaan jahatdi dalam dunia. Di dalam tangan dan kuasa-Nya tidak boleh ada seorang pun yangdipercayakan Bapa kepada-Nya binasa dan hilang. Meskipun Iblis tentu senangdengan tugasnya untuk memperdayai manusia yang lemah, tetapi ia tidak mungkinberhasil mengambil mereka dari kuasa Tuhan Yesus Kristus. Orang-orang yang sakit, tertindasdan yang berdosa tentu menjadi sasaran empuk Iblis dan pembantunya. TetapiTuhan sendiri tidak tega menutup mata terhadap mereka. Demikian juga kita yangmemiliki komitmen iman kepada-Nya sering menjadi sasaran kejahatan Iblis danpembantunya. Tuhan juga tidak tega menutup mata dan membiarkan kita binasa olehperlakuan jahat Iblis. Tuhan ingin supaya semua orang yang dilindungi dandiselamatkan-Nya dapat memenuhi Kerajaan-Nya. Mereka akan dibuatnya menjaditerbesar di dalam Kerajaan-Nya. Ini menjadi peringatan kepada mereka angkuh,jahat, penindas di dunia yang telah dikuasai oleh Iblis. Pada hari ini, kita dapat melihatwajah Tuhan Yesus yang penuh belas kasih sebagai Gembala yang Baik, yangmembela dan melindungi kita. Marilahkita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa... Ya Yesus, lindungilah kami dari segala bentuktipu muslihat dan kejahatan Iblis. Salam Maria, penuh rahmat ... Dalam namaBapa ...

Dibawakan oleh Irma Dhema dan Intan Fridanika dari Saint Peter's School di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Yehezkiel 18: 25-28; Mazmur tg 25: 4bc-5.6-7.8-9; Filipi 2: 1-11; Matius 21: 28-32.KEASLIAN KITA Tema renungan kita pada hari Minggu Biasa ke-26ini ialah: Keaslian Kita. Ada seorang pastor paroki yang baru dua minggubertugas di parokinya. Wajahnya seperti kurang memberi kesan bersahabat. Iatidak banyak berbicara. Hanya tukang masak di pastoran yang sudah memilikicukup kesan dan pengetahuan tentang dia. Sedangkan para pegawai paroki lainnyadan hampir semua umat belum mengenalnya secara dekat. Mereka semua tampaknyatakut dan malu untuk bertemu dan berkenalan dengan dia karena penampakandirinya itu. Tetapi, Alice, si tukang masak selalu memberikanmereka keyakinan bahwa sifat sesungguhnya pastor paroki adalah terbuka, tenangdan memberikan rasa betah. Ia mengingatkan mereka supaya tidak menilai bukuhanya dari sampul atau kulitnya, yang artinya bahwa pastor paroki mereka jangandipandang dan dinilai hanya dari penampakannya itu. Alice bertindak sepertipewarta yang istimewa, yaitu menonjolkan keaslian pribadi pastor paroki.Akhirnya perlahan-lahan semua orang mengenal dan menjalin kerja sama yang baik denganpastornya. Bacaan-bacaan kita pada hariMinggu ini menggarisbawahi penetapan Tuhan terhadap diri kita dengan sebuahkeaslian panggilan kepada setiap orang. Tuhan memanggil kita masing-masinguntuk menjadi seperti yang Ia kehendaki, yang menurut Tuhan Yesus bahwa kitaharus menjadi sempurna seperti Bapa yang sempurna adanya. Setiap manusiadiciptakan dalam keadaan baik, demikian kata kitab Kejadian, tetapi kebebasankodrati mengarahkan dia untuk memilih jalan Tuhan atau jalan yang berlawanan.Dari sinilah keaslian pribadi setiap orang semakin dipertegas dan terusdibentuk dalam perjalanan hidup selanjutnya. Anak yang dikisahkan di dalamperumpamaan Yesus dengan penampilan jelek dan tidak taat, sebenarnya memilikikeaslian diri sebagai orang baik. Nabi Yehezkiel juga menyinggung tentangkeadaan orang beriman yang berdosa, namun menyesali dosanya dan berusaha untukmembarui dirinya. Ini berarti mereka memang ingin kembali ke asalnya, yaitusebagai ciptaan yang baik. Kita semua yang melewati proses pembaruan ini,meskipun pengalaman yang berbeda-beda dari masing-masing orang, sebenarnyaingin menjadikan diri kita bersama menyerupai Kristus sebagai kepala kita. Kitasebagai anggota Gereja, meskipun berpenampilan berbeda-beda, tapi keaslianGereja kita adalah suci.  Sedangkan anak yang berpenampilanbagus dan tampak sebagai penurut, sebenarnya adalah pribadi yang jelek.Demikian juga nabi Yehezkiel berkata bahwa orang yang memilih untuk hidup dalamkejahatan adalah mereka yang meninggalkan keasliannya. Penampilannya tidakmenggambarkan keasliannya. Kita dapat bertanya pada diri kita masing-masing:apakah kita sedang mendekati keaslian kita atau sebaliknya kita sedang menjauhikeaslian kita?Marilahkita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa... Ya Allah, berkatilah dan kuatkanlah kami supayakami selalu setia di dalam jalan-Mu. Bapa kami yang ada di surga ... Dalam namaBapa ...

Delivered by Demmy Anggi and Jeane Jacklynn from Saint Peter's School in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Ezekiel 18: 25-28; Rs psalm 25: 4bc-5.6-7.8-9: Philippians 2: 1-11; Matthew 21: 28-32.OUR AUTHENTICITY  The theme for our meditation on this 26thSunday in Ordinary Time is: Our Authenticity. There was a parish priest who hasjust arrived and served in his parish only in two weeks time. His face seemedless friendly. He didn't talk much. Only the cook in the rectory had enoughimpression and knowledge of him. Meanwhile, other parochial staff and almostall parishioners did not know him closely. They all seemed afraid and reluctantto meet and get acquainted with him because of his appearance. However, Alice, the cook always convinced them aboutthe true nature of the parish priest. He was an open-minded person, calm andmade others feel at home. She reminded them not to judge a book by its cover. Theirparish priest should not be looked at and judged by his appearance only. Aliceacted like a special speaker of the parish, to always reveal the authenticityof the parish priest. Slowly, everyone got to know and were able to cooperatewell with their pastor. Our readings this Sunday highlight God's appointmentof us with an authentic calling to everyone. God calls every one of us to bewhat He wishes us to be, which according to the Lord Jesus, we must be perfectlike the heavenly Father who is ever perfect. Every human being was created asa good person, says the book of Genesis, but natural freedom directs him or herto choose God's way or the opposite way. From here the personal authenticity ofevery person is increasingly emphasized and continues to be strengthenedthrough the journey of life. The son who was told in Jesus' parable with an uglyappearance and a disobedience disposition, actually had an authentic self as agood person. The prophet Ezekiel also mentioned the condition of the believerswho were also sinners, but they repented and then renewed. This means that theyreally want to return to their origins, which are the good persons from thebeginning. All of us who go through this process of renewal, despite thedifferent experiences of every person, actually want to make ourselves togetherlike Christ as our head. We as members of the Church, despite our differentappearances, the authenticity of our Church is holy and one. However, the other son who looked good and appeared tobe obedient was actually a bad and disobedient person. Likewise the prophetEzekiel said that those who choose to live in sins are those who have abandonedtheir authenticities. His appearance does not represent his authenticity. Wecan ask every one of us: are we going toward our authenticities or are wemoving away from our authenticities?Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O God, bless and strengthen us so that wemay always be faithful in Your ways. Our Father who art in heaven ... In thename of the Father ...

President Xi Jinping announced at a White House welcoming ceremony on Thursday hosted by US President Donald Trump that China would invite 100,000 young Americans for exchange and study programs over the next five years."The hope of the China-US relationship lies in our people, and its future lies with the young," Xi said.During his 2023 trip to San Francisco for the APEC leaders' meeting, Xi announced an initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over the next five years. By May this year, that goal had been reached two and a half years ahead of schedule.Jade Melendres, a student at the University of California, Davis, said she was excited to see the "50,000 in 5 Years" Initiative expanded to include more young Americans.Melendres has visited China twice and plans to travel to Hong Kong in November."Once you've been to China, you'll find yourself wanting to go back."Denis Simon, senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute in Washington, DC, said that having American students visit China creates direct experience rather than secondhand impressions, rebuilds a badly depleted educational bridge and strengthens the relationship."Imagine 100,000 Americans who have spent substantial time in China becoming teachers, scientists, journalists, diplomats, investors, lawyers, technology executives and political leaders. They would constitute a much larger pool of Americans with firsthand experience of China rather than simply an abstract conception of China," he told China Daily.Jiang Lan, acting director of the Center for Chinese Language Teacher Education, the Caulfield School of Education of Saint Peter's University in New Jersey, welcomed the initiative to invite American students to China. Jiang has led three groups of American students on study programs in China."The exchange programs are carefully designed so they can see and experience what China is really like within a short period," she said."Our goal is not merely to help students bridge the gap with China or gain a superficial understanding of the country," Jiang added. "We hope these programs will inspire them to develop a deeper understanding of China, its people, and its history and culture."Recently, Xi replied to a letter from students at 10 US universities who had participated in a China-US youth exchange program in China.Judy Barbour, a student at Saint Peter's University, was among them."It's an honor to have the president reach out to students, and I'm just super grateful for the opportunity," she said. Barbour has just traveled to Shandong province and Beijing.Barbour expressed hope that more students would have the opportunity to explore China."I'm so glad that it's branching out to more students," she said. "I would definitely tell them to keep an open mind and take this opportunity to not only explore, but experience people and new culture from a place that's on an entirely different coast from us."

Delivered by Afnita Laura Carolina from Saint Peter's School in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Ecclesiastes 11: 9 - 12: 8; Rs psalm 90: 3-6.12-14.17; Luke 9: 43b-45.TARGET FOR VICTORY Our meditation today has the theme: Target forVictory. There was a teenager from the village who has just finished his firstsemester study in University in the city. The outcomes of his study were a bitworrying. There were several red marks that required him to do a remedial exam.He needed to do a retest on those subjects concerned. His friends and neighborsthought that he was still in a moment of adjustment. And that consideration wasenough to encourage him to move on. He was motivated to get out quickly fromthat pressure. When he called his parents in the village, he receivedalso encouragement from them, saying that every struggle or effort has its ownprocess. There is no consideration that a beginning must be easy and smooth.The important thing should be in our minds is that from the beginning of anywork or undertaking, we must aim for victory. This is a very importantmotivation. One must start with the winning target in mind, in the beginning ofwork and in the design of plan. Our journey of faith in this world has a goal to beachieved, namely our perfection in the Lord. Each of us was given this targetfrom the moment of our baptisms, and all our baptismal promises serve asinstruments to help us achieving them. When we eventually reach that goal indue time, we will experience victory and glory of God. Even though the book of Ecclesiastes describes ourreal life as simply a vanity, behind this concept is actually the emphasis onthe end of our life's journey, and God's judgment will determine whether aperson will be the winner or not. The Lord Jesus Christ looked up to Jerusalemas the end of His journey on earth where the target had been set for Him. Jesustold His apostles that there in Jerusalem He would be handed over to the Jewishauthorities to be executed. His death on the cross was the most severesuffering a man had ever experienced. Death on the cross is a victory, so ourChristian faith always teaches us. This target for victory through the cross is also ablessing for us. However, we might be in the same situation as the apostles ofJesus were. Many of us do not have full understanding about this victory of thecross. For those who understand, they witness in their daily lives aparticipation or a sharing of the glory and victory of Christ by bearing thecrosses to show their Christian commitment. They accept hardships and sufferingthat come along their lives with good will and joyful heart. They even prefer aphysical death rather than living as sinners. For those who don't understand,there are still opportunities for them to assume a spirituality of the cross.But for those who do not want to understand or those who go against it, thecross is a foolish and shameful thing they have ever met. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Jesus Christ, You openly declare Yourvictory through the cross so that it will be the Word and the covenant for ourspiritual sustenance. May we always be faithful to the way of our crosses. OurFather who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father ...

Dibawakan oleh Yohanes Don Bosco Subekti dan Maria Ecclesia dari Saint Peter's School di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Pengkhotbah 11: 9 - 12: 8; Mazmur tg 90: 3-6.12-14.17; Lukas 9: 43b-45.TARGET UNTUK KEMENANGAN Renungan kita pada hari ini bertema: Target Untuk Kemenangan. Seorangremaja dari desa baru saja selesai semester pertama kuliahnya di kota. Baginyahasil studi itu agak mengawatirkan. Ada beberapa nilainya kurang memuaskan,karena itu ia harus melakukan remedial atau ujian ulang. Ada sebagian teman dantetangganya menganggap bahwa ia masih menyesuaikan diri. Dan anggapan itu cukupmembesarkan hatinya. Ia termotivasi untuk cepat keluar dari tekanan itu. Saat telepon dengan kedua orang tuanya di desa, ia mendapatkan motivasibaru dari orang tua: bahwa perjuangan atau usaha harus ada prosesnya. Tidakboleh ada anggapan bahwa suatu permulaan harus sudah langsung baik dan lancar.Yang penting sedari awal usaha, orang harus menargetkan kemenangan. Itu adalahmotivasi yang sangat penting. Orang harus mulai dengan target kemenangan didalam pikiran, permulaan usaha, dan rencananya.  Ziarah iman di dunia itu bagai sebuah perjuangan untuk sampai padatujuannya, yaitu kesempurnaan di dalam Tuhan. Kita masing-masing diberikantarget ini sejak saat pembaptisan, dan semua janji baptis itu sebagai instrumenyang membantu kita mencapainya. Ketika kita mencapai itu nanti, hasilnya ialahsebuah kemenangan dan kemuliaan. Meskipun kitab Pengkhotbah secara lugas menggambarkan bahwa kehidupan yangnyata adalah hanya kesia-siaan, namun ia sangat menegaskan bahwa di akhirsebuah perjalanan hidup, ada pengadilan Tuhan yang menentukan seseorang itusebagai pemenang atau sebaliknya kalah. Tuhan Yesus Kristus memandang keYerusalem tentang target yang sudah ditetapkan bagi-Nya. Yesus menyampaikanpara rasul-Nya bahwa nanti di Yerusalem diri-Nya akan diserahkan kepadapembesar Yahudi untuk dihukum mati. Kematian-Nya itu merupakan yang sangat kejiyaitu dengan disalibkan. Kematian di salib adalah sebuah kemenangan, begituajaran di dalam iman kita. Target kemenangan melalui salib ini juga merupakan rahmat bagi kita. Namunseperti para rasul, banyak dari kita belum atau tidak mampu mengertisepenuhnya. Bagi yang mengerti, mereka memang mengalami dan menghayati di dalamhidup hariannya, yaitu berpartisipasi dan berbagi dalam kemuliaan dankemenangan Kristus dengan salib. Mereka tentu menerima kesulitan danpenderitaan atas dirinya dalam kerelaan dan suka cita. Pilihan hidupnya ialahmati raga. Bagi mereka yang belum mengerti, tetap ada kesempatan terbuka untukmenghayati spiritualitas salib. Sedangkan mereka yang tidak mau mengerti, salibitu adalah suatu kebodohan dan cara yang memalukan.  Marilah kita berdoa.Dalam nama Bapa... Ya Yesus Kristus, Engkau menyatakan secara terbukakemenangan-Mu melalui salib supaya menjadi santapan sabda dan perjanjian bagikami, semoga kami selalu setia dengan jalan salib kami. Bapa kami yang ada disurga... Dalam nama Bapa...

Have you committed the very sin you promised God you would never commit again? Have shame, discouragement or repeated failure made you wonder whether confession and another attempt are even worthwhile?Saint Peter knows that struggle.Peter sincerely loved Jesus Christ and confidently promised that he would never abandon Him. Within hours, however, Peter fell asleep instead of praying, followed Christ from a distance and denied Him three times. When the cock crowed and the Lord looked at him, Peter went outside and wept bitterly.But Peter's failure was not his final chapter.This episode of Saints for the Struggle examines the spiritual battle that begins after we fall. Before sin, the devil tells us it is not serious. Afterward, the same liar tells us that our sin is too serious to be forgiven. The first temptation leads us into sin; the second tries to keep us down through shame and despair.Unlike Judas, Peter returned to Christ. Beside another charcoal fire after the Resurrection, Jesus touched Peter's wound—not to humiliate him, but to heal him. Three denials were answered by three professions of love, and the fallen apostle received his mission: “Feed My sheep.”This episode offers practical steps for beginning again: tell the truth, distinguish repentance from shame, return to confession, change the circumstances that lead to sin and get back up immediately.Christian perseverance does not mean never hitting the canvas. It means refusing to make the canvas your home.If you failed last night, get up. If you failed this morning, get up. Return to Christ, confession, prayer and the fight. Your failure may receive a chapter in your life—but it does not receive the final page.Saint Peter, pray for us!00:00 Have you fallen into the same sin again?00:49 The dangerous voice after failure01:17 Saint Peter knew the shame of failure01:46 Peter loved Christ—but misunderstood himself02:30 “I will never deny You”02:57 The danger of trusting our own strength03:33 How quickly confidence can collapse04:07 Peter falls asleep in Gethsemane04:30 “Watch and pray”04:57 Good intentions are not enough05:23 Why holiness remains difficult05:58 Prayer, discipline and spiritual resistance06:42 Peter follows Jesus from a distance07:01 Peter denies Christ three times07:12 Jesus turns and looks at Peter07:46 Peter goes out and weeps bitterly08:16 Don't waste the pain of repentance08:33 Peter and Judas: two responses to failure08:57 The devil changes his argument09:24 The second temptation after sin09:39 Fighting after failure10:03 Can you get back up?10:33 Go to confession again11:03 Your sin is not greater than God's mercy11:24 Mercy is not permission to stop fighting11:40 Change what leads you into sin12:36 Jesus meets Peter after the Resurrection12:55 The two charcoal fires13:21 Three denials and three professions of love13:48 Christ heals Peter's wound13:53 “Feed My sheep”14:02 God still has a mission for you14:40 Failure prepared Peter to shepherd sinners15:17 The person who needed to die15:55 From denial to public witness16:22 Peter eventually gives his life for Christ16:35 Grace transformed the coward into a martyr16:56 Holiness requires long-term perseverance17:32 “If it were easy, everyone would do it”17:49 Thousands of decisions and recoveries18:00 Five steps after you fall18:23 Run toward Christ and confession18:41 Change the conditions of the fight18:54 Get back up immediately19:16 When you hear the cock crow19:40 Christ knew Peter would fall20:02 The failure and the mercy were real20:18 Will you get back up?20:50 Return to Christ and the fight21:14 Peter wasn't finished—and neither are you21:33 Saint Peter, pray for us

Delivered by Arjun Bordeos from Saint Peter's School in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11; Rs psalm 144: 1a.2abc.3-4; Luke 9: 18-22.THERE IS TIME FOR EVERYTHING  The theme for our meditation today is: There is Timefor Everything. We are all shaped by a common understanding that timedetermines our life. We need to clarify our understanding of this concept sothat we do not oversimplify what it means. Often times we have tendency toblame our own unremarkable past because it does not tell the nice story to hearand to share. Time itself is simply seen as an independent element and has norelation to the subject who lives and acts in it or the Creator of time. The time that decides for our fate in life can also beunderstood as the spinning wheel. When we are in the lower round, we view ourlives really in the period of trouble and suffering. On the contrary, when weare on the top round, we see our lives as something fun and fortune. A lifeseen in this manner is generally understood as a reality from the natural law.However, the risk remains the same in the way we view the change of time. Weoften regret or blame our history when the wheel of our lives happened to goalways at the bottom. To overcome the danger of seeing time as a separateelement in our lives, we need to see it with another view point, which is fromthe perspective of God Himself who leads our life in and with time. The Lord isthe source of time. He provides everyone with 24 hours every day in everyone'sentire life. By viewing time in this manner, we can avoid the tendency to blameour unfavorable past. If we always direct our eyes to God from where we standand in which event we are in, in moments of joy and sorrow, our best attitudeis not to blame the past, but to see it with the eyes of faith. God indeedcontrols and directs our lives. The book of Ecclesiastes in the first reading todaydescribes human life as something fragile and temporary that ends with its timelimit. Everything has its time. Something exists at a time, and at other timeit disappears. This profile of life actually wants to teach us to appreciatethe time provided for everyone equally in quantity. Regardless of the length oftime for everyone, it must contain a meaningful life event. We need to respondto the Preacher of the Ecclesiastes who said that this life is hopeless, withthe offering of a life that has meaning in its every moment. As we are and we do our duties today, we need to enjoythem in our togetherness with others in the providence of the Lord, and we hopeto be strengthened by our faith in Jesus Christ who comes from God the Father.This profession of faith is the principle of our Christian life.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, may we experience every moment ofour life as a manifestation of Your providence to us. Hail Mary, full of grace... In the name of the Father ...

Dibawakan oleh Ivana Edrea Santoso dan Theodorus Kefi dari Saint Peter's School di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Pengkhotbah 3: 1-11; Mazmur tg 144: 1a.2bc.3-4; Lukas 9: 18-22.SEGALA SESUATU ADA WAKTUNYA  Tema renungan kita pada hari iniialah: Segala Sesuatu Ada Waktunya. Kita semua dibentuk oleh pemahaman umumbahwa waktu menentukan nasib hidup kita. Keyakinan ini perlu diperjelas lagisupaya kita tidak jatuh dalam pemahaman yang sederhana. Akibatnya, kecenderungankita ialah mempersalahkan masa lalu yang tidak memberikan cerita yangmengesankan tentang kita. Waktu hanya dilihat sebagai sebuah elemen yangberdiri sendiri, dan tidak punya kaitan dengan subjek pencipta atau pemilikwaktu. Waktu yang memutuskan nasib hidupmanusia dapat juga dipahami seperti roda yang berputar. Saat kita berada diputaran bawah, kita memandangnya sebagai periode kemalangan dan penderitaan.Sebaliknya pada saat kita berada di putaran atas, kita memandangnya sebagaikesenangan dan keberuntungan. Kehidupan sebagai sebuah roda yang berputarumumnya dipahami sebagai kenyataan yang diterima sebagai hukum alam. Namunresikonya tetap sama dengan pandangan tentang waktu yang berganti. Pada saatnyamanusia akan menyesali sejarahnya ketika roda kehidupan itu berputar di bagianbawahnya. Untuk mengatasi bahaya melihatwaktu sebagai satu elemen semata, kita perlu melihatnya sebagai Tuhan sendiriyang menyelenggarakan hidup kita di dalam waktu. Dia adalah sumber waktu. Diamemberikan setiap orang waktu 24 jam tiap-tiap hari dalam seluruh hidupnya.Dengan cara memandang waktu seperti ini, kita dapat menghindari kecenderunganmempersalahkan waktu atau sejarah. Bila Kita selalu mengarahkan pandangan kitakepada Tuhan atas semua peristiwa hidup, baik menyenangkan maupun yangmenyakitkan, sikap kita adalah bukan mempersalahkan masa lalu, tetapimelihatnya dari kaca mata iman. Tuhan yang mengontrol dan mengarahkan hidupkita. Kitab Pengkotbah dalam bacaanpertama ini menggambarkan hidup manusia yang rapuh dan sementara denganmemberikan batasan waktu. Segala sesuatu ada waktunya. Sesuatu ada padasaatnya, dan pada saat yang lain sesuatu itu menghilang. Gambaran inisebenarnya ingin mengajarkan kita untuk menghargai waktu yang disediakan bagisetiap orang yang jumlah waktunya senantiasa sama. Berapapun lama waktunya,pasti berisi suatu peristiwa kehidupan yang punya makna. Kita perlu menanggapiPengkotbah yang mengatakan sia-sia hidup ini, dengan sebuah persembahan hidupyang memiliki makna  dari saat ke saat. Untuk waktu sekarang atau saatini, kita perlu menikmatinya bersama dengan sesama dalam penyelenggaraan Tuhan,dan dikuatkan oleh iman kita kepada Yesus Kristus yang datang dari Allah.Pengakuan iman ini adalah prinsip hidup kita. Marilahkita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa ... Ya Tuhan, semoga kami mengalami setiap waktuhidup kami sebagai pernyataan diri-Mu bagi kami. Salam Maria, penuh rahmat ...Dalam nama Bapa ...

"Quo vadis, Domine?" Lord, where are You going?That's the question Christ asked Peter on the road out of Rome, and it's the last thing Peter heard before he chose to die on a cross turned upside down. Fr. Robert Nixon is back on the show with a brand-new translation almost nobody has read: the Life and Martyrdom of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, written by a man who was practically an eyewitness. Simon Magus, a demonic flying "miracle," a Roman emperor demanding Peter read his mind, and two apostles who walked to their deaths without a shred of fear. This is the episode that'll make you rethink what courage actually looks like.Fr. Nixon's latest translation for TAN Books brings us the lives of Peter and Paul as recorded by Saint Abdias of Babylon, one of the seventy-two disciples and a near-contemporary of the apostles themselves.Grab a coffee, brothers. This one puts real flesh and blood on two men you think you already know.PRODUCTS & REFERENCES MENTIONED:Life and Martyrdom of Saint Peter and Saint Paul by Saint Abdias of Babylon, trans. Fr. Robert Nixon (TAN Books) -- use cpde "manlycatholic" at checkout for a discount and suppor the podcastFr. Nixon's prior episodes: #167 (Eucharistic Visions of Saint Frances of Rome) and #208 (The Mystical Meaning of Numbers in Sacred Scripture)Thank you for your prayers and support!Consider supporting the podcast on our Buy Me A Coffee page (https://buymeacoffee.com/tmc) to help grow the show to reach as many men as possible!Check out our store! https://the-manly-catholic-store.checkoutstores.com/Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxrRLZNk4WqPdgcac5vuWEQCheck out our website (https://www.themanlycatholic.com/)Get delicious coffee from Mystic Monk Coffee (https://www.mysticmonkcoffee.com/)Download TAN Digital (https://tanbooks.com/tan-digital-app/) to access the incredible TAN Library! Use code 'MANLYCATHOLIC' to get 50% OFF your subscription!Contact us at themanlycatholic@gmail.comTIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro & Welcome 01:55 - Opening Prayer 02:25 - How Fr. Robert Nixon Translates Ancient Texts 04:45 - Who Was St. Abdius of Babylon? 09:00 - St. Peter & St. Paul's Personalities Beyond Scripture 14:20 - St. Peter vs. Simon Magus (The Showdown in Rome) 22:40 - The Preaching Styles of the Apostles 25:30 - The Martyrdom of St. Peter (Quo Vadis & Vatican Hill) 29:45 - The Martyrdom of St. Paul (Via Ostiense) 32:10 - Key Takeaways for Catholic Men Today 34:40 - Fr. Robert Nixon's Final Blessing & Upcoming Books

Delivered by Oswaldus Coo from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Ecclesiastes 1: 2-11; Rs psalm 90: 3-6.12-14.17; Luke 9: 7-9.ANXIETY IS EXPECTED TO PASS QUICKLY The theme for our meditation today is: Anxiety isExpected to Pass Quickly. Anxiety is a state of human soul which is similar tothat of restlessness, discomfort, fear and worry. It is clear that this mentalstate is not positive. Anxiety is the opposite to enthusiasm, optimism, joy,comfort, and excitement. We normally want that the anxiety in ourselves, ourfamilies, Church and society may pass quickly. Perhaps many of us when reading the beginning of thebook of Ecclesiastes about vanity in all things, obviously our feelings of fearand worry arise. There was a story about a high school student, who, afterreading himself this passage of the bible, he spontaneously complained to hisparents as he said: "Well, why do we live in this world?" King Herodas told in the bible, was also troubled because he saw that John the Baptist,who had died, was alive. He was so anxious and agitated of this matter. Hecertainly assumed that Jesus of Nazareth was the actual John the Baptist whohad resurrected. The two examples of anxiety as shown in today'sreadings are the consequences of our own weaknesses and sins. This type isrecognized through self knowledge and self awareness. A person who recognizeshis own weaknesses and sins with the help of divine light, regrets them andthere is the way for him to change. As far as possible, this point of renewalwill not only eliminate anxiety, but also bring him something new. Thelisteners of the book of Ecclesiastes would have growth in their faith, as wellas the King Herod was indeed required to see himself the real Jesus Christ. There is another type of anxiety that is morecomplicated. This is about our own weaknesses, shortcomings and sins that causeour friends and relatives anxious and distrurbed. This would be a big problembecause they are increasingly bothered and affected but we who make the problemdo not realize ourselves being the cause of the problem. In other words wedon't care that we keep doing wrongs, mistakes and sins. What is even moredangerous is that if these sinful acts do harm our own souls, the souls of othersand the souls of many people. These anxieties and worries can pass quickly only ifeveryone is faithful and wants to live fairly and righteously. Following God byalways being guided in His words is the best way to do in order to achiecvethis freedom. Our life must be pleasing to God alone, says the responsorialpsalm today. So we not only want to see Jesus like the King Herod, but we wantto follow Him, because this is the will of our Father in Heaven. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O God in heaven, make us truly committedto imitate Jesus Christ, Your Son and our Lord, and so we will remain with Younow and for ever. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ...In the name of the Father ...

Dibawakan oleh Intan Fridanika dari Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Pengkhotbah 1: 2-11; Mazmur tg 90: 3-6.12-14.17; Lukas 9: 7-9.KERESAHAN SUPAYA CEPAT BERLALU Tema renungan kita pada hari ini ialah: Keresahan Supaya Cepat Berlalu.Resah merupakan satu keadaan jiwa yang mirip situasinya dengan gelisah, cemas,tak nyaman, takut dan kuatir. Jelas bahwa keadaan jiwa ini tidak positif.Keresahan adalah lawan dari rasa semangat, optimis, senang, bangga, ceria danberuntung. Pada dasarnya kita ingin supaya keadaan resah dalam diri kitasendiri, keluarga, Gereja dan masyarakat biar cepat berlalu pergi. Mungkin banyak di antara kita ketika membaca bagian awal kitab Pengkhotbahtentang kesia-siaan dalam segala sesuatu, perasaan takut dan resah timbulsecara spontan. Ada seorang siswa SMA setelah membaca sendiri perikop ini, ialangsung mengeluh kepada orang tuanya begini: "Lha, terus untuk apa kitahidup di dunia ini?" Raja Herodes juga resah karena ia mengetahui bahwaYohanes Pembaptis yang telah ia bunuh, hidup kembali. Ia menjadi resah dangelisah, dan mengira bahwa Yesus dari Nazaret itu ialah Yohanes Pembaptis yangbangkit. Dua contoh keresahan dari bacaan-bacaan hari ini bersumber pada kesalahanatau dosa kita sendiri. Keresahan dan gelisah jenis ini tumbuh melalui suatupengetahuan dan kesadaran akan diri sendiri. Seseorang mengetahui sendirikelemahan dan dosanya dengan bantuan terang Ilahi, dan menyesalinya, kemudianada jalan baginya untuk pembaruan. Langkah pembaruan itu sedapat mungkin tidakhanya menghilangkan keresahan, tetapi juga menciptakan atau menghadirkansesuatu yang baru. Para pendengar kitab Pengkhotbah akan semakin memperkuatimannya kepada Tuhan, atau Herodes memang dituntut untuk  melihat Yesus yang sesungguhnya. Ada jenis keresahan lain yang lebih berat. Keresahan itu ialah ketika temandan saudara kita menjadi resah karena kelemahan, kekurangan dan dosa kita. Iniadalah berat karena mereka resah dan semakin resah namun kita sendiri tidakpernah menyadari atau mengetahuinya. Dengan kata lain kita tidak peduli dantetap saja sengaja berbuat kesalahan dan dosa. Yang lebih berbahaya lagi,yaitu  kalau kesengajaan tersebutmembahayakan jiwa kita sendiri, jiwa orang lain dan merusak hajat hidup orangbanyak. Keresahan-keresahan tersebut dapat cepat berlalu pergi hanya kalau setiaporang setia dan mau hidup secara adil dan benar. Mengikuti Tuhan dengan selaludibimbing oleh firman-Nya merupakan pilihan terbaik di dalam hidup ini. Hidupkita memang harus berkenan kepada Tuhan saja, demikian mazmur tanggapan hariini. Jadi kita tidak hanya ingin mengetahui tentang Yesus seperti Herodes,tetapi kita ingin mengikuti Dia, yaitu melakukan kehendak Bapa di Surga.  Marilah kita berdoa.Dalam nama Bapa ... Allah Bapa di surga, dengan selalu meneladani Yesus KristusPutra-Mu dan Tuhan kami, kami ingin mengosongkan diri kami dengan mengasihi-Mu,maka penuhilah kami, ya Bapa yang mahabaik. Kemuliaan kepada Bapa dan Putra danRoh Kudus ... Dalam nama Bapa ...

Delivered by Yovita Della and Gracia Meirissa from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Proverbs 30: 5-9; Rs psalm 119: 29.72.89.101.104.163; Luke 9: 1-6.SIMPLICITY IS POWER The theme for our meditation today is: Simplicity isPower. When the disciples of Jesus were commissioned to carry out services topeople without being equipped with adequate supporting facilities andmaterials, they did not complain and protest. They were sure to carry it outwith pleasure. They did the mission entrusted in a spirit of simplicity becausethere were very limited resources they had. But this was actually a power. Theydidn't need to worry because Jesus would always accompany them. The spirit of simplicity has been used in the ministryof the Church throughout her history, as for example, between the years1930-1960s there was a zealous man of the Church who did an extraordinaryservices to people in Italy, especially in the southern region of Rome, namelySan Giovanni Rotonda. This man was Saint Padre Pio whose feast day we celebratetoday. He was known as a mystic, a servant for many people who sought renewalof life, and he offered himself completely to Christ. His all simplicity andsincerity in the ministry was paid by the Lord in the gift of the stigmata onhis body that he endured to the end of his life. People often say that simplicity is beautiful.Simplicity is happiness. Simplicity is empowering. A simple life is noble, etc.Living a simple life is not about being poor or destitute, nor is it aboutdoing nothing or not wanting anything. A simple life is beautiful, happy andnoble because it is lived in humility and in awareness that any mistakes orshortcomings can be corrected through forgiveness, repentance andreconciliation. Before the all powerful God, we are only people who need whatis sufficient for life, because we are not determined to be rich or to be poor,says the book of Proverbs today. Our simplicity is a power because our main dependenceon God. We enjoy this life by carrying out our respective roles andresponsibilities. Everyone has the right to receive what is appropriate for thesustenance of life according to what is being done. This life is dedicated toGod, to our children, to our brothers and sisters, and to the people to whom weserve. Each of us is given by God a responsibility or duty and it is sufficientfor us to fulfill it. He has promised to be with us and of course thisassurance will eliminate all our worries in this world. The principle of simplicity as a power for life isthis: we live our lives according to the abilities given by God, and if we areunable to do one thing or another because of certain challenges or obstacles,God will do his part for us. That is the power of simplicity.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... Father in heaven, we always pray,"Your kingdom come" so that we can make our lives powerful, which isin line with our abilities and also our dependence on Your power. Hail Mary,full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...

Dibawakan oleh Ida dari Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Amsal 30: 5-9; Mazmur tg 119: 29.72.89.101.104.163; Lukas 9: 1-6.KESEDERHANAAN ADALAH KEKUATAN Tema renungan kita pada hari ini ialah: Kesederhanaan Adalah Kekuatan.Ketika Yesus menugaskan murid-murid-Nya untuk melakukan pelayanan kepada orangbanyak tanpa dilengkapi fasilitas dan materi pendukung yang memadai, parautusan itu tidak mengeluh dan protes. Mereka yakin untuk menjalankan itu dengansenang hati. Mereka jalankan itu dalam semangat kesederhanaan dan sumber dayayang sangat terbatas. Namun ini adalah sebuah kekuatan. Mereka tak usah kuatirkarena Yesus tentu menemani mereka.  Model pelayanan yang sederhana ini berlanjut terus sepanjang sejarahGereja, misalnya sampai pada tahun 1930-1960an seorang pelayanan penuh semangatmelakukan hal yang sama di Italia dan khususnya di daerah selatan Roma, yaituSan Giovanni Rotonda. Dia adalah Santo Padre Pio yang kita rayakan pada hariini. Ia dikenal sebagai seorang mistik, pelayan banyak orang yang mencaripembaruan diri, dan memberikan diri seutuhnya kepada Kristus. Kesederhanaan danketulusan hatinya itu dibayar oleh Yesus dengan stigmata pada tubuhnya.  Kata orang, sederhana itu indah. Sederhana adalah kebahagiaan. Sederhanaitu menguatkan. Hidup sederhana itu mulia. Dan seterusnya. Hidup sederhanabukan terkait dengan miskin dan melarat, juga bukan soal tidak berbuat apa-apaatau tidak menginginkan apa-apa. Hidup sederhana dipandang indah, bahagia danmulia karena dijalani dalam kerendahan hati dan kesadaran bahwa kekeliruan ataukesalahan dapat diperbaiki melalui maaf, pengampunan dan pertobatan. Di hadapanAllah maka kuasa, kita adalah orang-orang yang hanya memerlukan kebutuhan hidupyang cukup, karena kita bukan ditentukan untuk menjadi kaya atau menjadimiskin, demikian kata kitab Amsal pada hari ini. Hidup sederhana sebagai kekuatan karena ketergantungan utama kita kepadaTuhan. Kita menikmati hidup ini dengan menjalankan peran dan tanggung jawabkita masing-masing. Upah dan rezeki selalu ada dan selalu pantas bagi setiaporang yang berhak memilikinya. Hidup ini dibaktikan dan dipersembahkan bagiTuhan, anak-anak, saudara dan saudara, dan orang-orang yang kita layani. Kitamasing-masing diberi tanggung jawab dan tugas oleh Tuhan dan cukup bagi kitauntuk menjalankannya. Dia menjamin untuk menyertai kita dan tentu jaminan inimenghilangkan segala kekawatiran kita di dunia ini.  Prinsip hidup sederhana sebagai kekuatan ialah ini: kita jalani hidup kitasesuai dengan kemampuan yang dikaruniakan oleh Allah, dan bila kita tidak mampuuntuk satu dan lain hal karena tantangan atau halangan tertentu, Tuhan akanmelakukan bagiannya bagi kita. Itu adalah kekuatan dari sebuah kesederhanaan. Marilah kita berdoa.Dalam nama Bapa ... Bapa di surga, kami selalu berdoa, “Datanglah Kerajaan-Mu”supaya dapat membuat hidup kami memiliki kekuatan, yaitu sejalan dengankemampuan kami dan juga bergantung kepada kekuasaan-Mu. Salam Maria, penuhrahmat ... Dalam nama Bapa ...

Fr. John Brancich, FSSP, is the pastor of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained into the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in 2004. In Today's Show: What is Fr. Brancich's Friday penance? Is cremation allowed for priests in the FSSP? Is downloading books from archival websites sinful? Can we offer up all of our suffering to God? What is the apostolic pardon? Will mental prayer become impossible due to social media shrinking our attention span? Should women be ordained as deacons? Is using the Lord's name in vain as part of an impulsive outburst mortally sinful? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Dibawakan oleh Josephine Anabelle Karamoy dari Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Amsal 21: 1-6.10-13; Mazmur tg 119: 1.27.30.34.35.44; Lukas 8: 19-21.HIDUP YANG PENUH SESAK Renungan kita pada hari ini bertema: Hidup Yang Penuh Sesak. Ada seorangremaja sedang mengobrol dengan teman-temannya dalam group Whatsapp. Pembicaraanmereka berkembang menjadi begitu ramai dan ia merasa tidak hanya arahpembicaraan mereka yang sudah kabur, tetapi juga kenyataan bahwa masing-masingdari mereka tidak saling memberi kesempatan bahkan tidak saling mengerti. Makaia memutuskan untuk keluar dari group. Ia menulis ini pada saat hendak keluar:"Hidup kita sudah penuh sesak"! Pandangan remaja itu bahwa hidup kita ini penuh sesak memang benar adanya.Hidup ini penuh dengan kerumunan orang dalam konteks apa pun, sehingga adaorang merasa takut dengan itu lalu ingin selalu menghindari kerumunan. Hidupkita juga penuh dengan pendapat, opini, spekulasi, bahkan kebohongan danfitnah. Bagi kitab Amsal, dunia ini penuh dengan pengaruh jahat yang membawakita ke dalam dosa, dan pada saat yang sama kekuatan kebenaran dan kebaikanjuga menuntut kita untuk menolak pengaruh jahat tersebut. Yesus sendiri jugaberada di tengah orang banyak. Lalu Ibu dan saudara-saudara-Nya berusahamenemukan Dia, tetapi tidak bisa sehingga mereka berada di luar saja. Ada seorang teman bercerita bagaimana ia mengalami begitu banyak hal yangdipikirkan sampai ia merasa sesak. Ia bukan sekedar bingung dan menjadi orangbodoh, tetapi sangat jelas ia merasa berada di luar dirinya sendiri. Ia takmerasa berada di dalam dirinya untuk mengontrol dan mengatur keadaan sedemikiansupaya rapi dan terorganisir. Ia merasa gagal dan menyerah dengan keadaan itu. Keadaan kita yang penuh sesak bisa menjadi hambatan, bisa juga sebagaikesempatan bertemu dengan Tuhan. Ada situasi di mana kesibukan kerja danpemenuhan kebutuhan hidup amat dipentingkan. Jadwal yang begitu padat dengansegala urusan membuat kita lelah sepanjang hari. Konsentrasi seperti itumengakibatkan kita tak menemukan kesempatan untuk berjumpa Tuhan.  Ada situasi lain di mana sebagian orang terpesona mengagumi sesamanyamenikmati kedekatan dan suka cita bersama Tuhan. Mereka melihat orang lainramai-ramai datang berjumpa dengan Tuhan melalui aneka kegiatan rohani. Merekasuka berada di luar dan menjadi penonton saja. Ada ketakutan atau minder kalauingin masuk menjadi bagian dalam kerumunan di sekeliling Tuhan.  Kiranya hidup yang penuh sesak ini dimaknai secara tepat, yaitu membuatdiri kita termasuk dalam orang-orang yang berkerumun dan berkumpul untukmenikmati kehadiran Tuhan dalam hidup kita setiap hari. Marilah kita berdoa.Dalam nama Bapa ... Tuhan Yesus Kristus, jadikanlah kami selalu sehatidengan-Mu untuk dapat menerima sabda yang Engkau wartakan dan semoga kamimenghidupi sabda itu secara benar dalam setiap saat hidup kami. Kemuliaankepada Bapa dan Putra dan Roh Kudus ... Dalam nama Bapa ...

Delivered by Desianna Sianturi from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Proverbs 21: 1-6.10-13; Rs psalm 119: 1.27.30.34.35.44; Luke 8: 19-21.A CROWDED LIFE Our meditation today has the theme: A Crowded Life.There was a teenager who was chatting with his friends in the Whatsapp group.Their conversation became so lively and he felt that not only the aim ofconversation has gone somewhere or lost its direction, but also the fact thateach of them did not give each other a chance or even there was amisunderstanding among each other. So he decided to leave the group. He wrotethis expression as he was about to leave: "Our life is crowded"! The teenager's view that we have a crowded life isindeed true. This Life is full of crowds in various contexts. Some people fearto be near or inside the crowd of things or people. Our life is also full ofopinions, views, speculations, even lies and slanders. For the book ofProverbs, this world is full of evil influences that lead us into sin, and atthe same time the powers of truth and goodness also require us to resist theseevil influences. Jesus himself, as described in the today's Gospel, was alsocaught in the crowd of people. Then His Mother, His brothers and sisters triedto find Him out, but they couldn't and so they were just outside. A friend told his own experience about so manythoughts in his mind that he felt cramped. He was not just confused and fooled,but it was very clear that he felt he was outside of himself. He did not feelthat he was in control of himself. He could not organize things in such a way toput everything in place. He felt that he has failed in this aspect and he gaveup on the situation. Any crowded life situation can become an obstacle, itcan also be an opportunity to meet God. There are situations where people arebusy with works and the need to fulfill the necessities of life is theirpriority. There are a lot of things to make us busy and we are tired all daylong. Such crowds can happen to anyone and it will lead them to find noopportunity to meet God in a personal way. There are other situations in which some people arefascinated in seeing others enjoy their closeness and joy with God. They seeother people flocking to meet God through various spiritual activities.However, they simply like to be outside and just become the spectators. Theyhave fear or feeling of insecurity about taking part in the crowd of thebelievers when God is praised and worshiped by many. May this type of crowded life be understood andrecognized properly. May we make ourselves the one community of people whogather to enjoy the presence of God and to receive abundance blessings from Him. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... Lord Jesus Christ, make us always one heartwith You that we may be able to accept the words from your teachings and may welive out those words faithfully in our lives. Glory to the Father and to theSon and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

Dibawakan oleh Fransiska Nanda dari Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Efesus 4: 1-7.11-13; Mazmur tg 19: 2-3.4-5; Matius 9: 9-13.BIARKAN HATI YANG BERBICARA Renungan kita pada hari ini bertema: Biarkan Hati Yang Berbicara. Pada hariini 21 September Gereja kita merayakan pesta Santo Matius, rasul dan pengarangInjil. Ia adalah anak Alfeus yang berasal dari Capernaum di sekitar danauGenesaret. Ia dikenal sebagai pemungut pajak romawi, suatu pekerjaan yangdibenci oleh orang-orang sedaerahnya karena memihak kepada penjajah.  Maka ia dianggap pendosa berat, dan Yesus dikritik keras karena menjadikandia salah seorang murid-Nya. Tetapi Yesus beralasan bahwa tugas-Nya ialahsebagai penyembuh jiwa-jiwa yang berdosa. Matius juga dipercayai sebagaipenulis Injil Tuhan, dan menjadi rasul yang menginjili daerah Ethiopia. ProsesMatius, seorang pendosa paling dibenci orang-orang di sekitarnya, menjadi muridYesus merupakan suatu gerakan hati yang dipenuhi oleh kuasa Allah. Tuhan Yesus memiliki hati yang penuh belas kasih dan Ia melihat denganhati-Nya itu dalam memilih orang-orang yang menjadi partner dalam bekerja.Matius dalam profesinya sebagai pembantu penjajah romawi untuk memungut pajakmasyarakat, juga memiliki hati yang tulus dan terbuka kepada Tuhan yang menemuidan memilihnya. Karena itu ia nothing toloose, tidak terikat atau tidak bergantung pada pekerjaannya. Iameninggalkan itu dan mengikuti Yesus. Kalau kita biarkan hati yang mengerti, memilih dan berbicara, hasilnyaadalah kebenaran. Tentu ini ada faktanya. Karena Tuhan berkenan tinggal didalam hati nurani manusia untuk setiap kali memberikan nasihat bijak dan murnidi kala kita mengambil keputusan. Pikiran sering berputar-putar dengankemampuan rasionalisasi, imajinasi dan spekulasi, misalnya untuk membela diri,kesombongan, mencari kambing hitam dan sebagainya. Tetapi hati, jika berpikirdan berbicara maka orang akan hidup selalu dalam tuntunan Roh yang satu dansuci. Hati mereka masing-masing berbicara tentang panggilan yang unik dariTuhan dan mereka berusaha hidup yang sesuai dengan panggilannya itu. Santo Paulus berkata dalam suratnya kepada jemaat di Efesus, bahwa setiaporang diharapkan menggunakan karunia Roh yang unik pada dirinya itu, untukdapat mewujudkan hidup yang bersatu dalam satu Tuhan dan satu iman. Matius,meskipun pikirannya sibuk tentang urusan pajak dan mendapatkan keuntungan daripekerjaan itu, hatinya jelas rindu akan Tuhan. Dengan pekerjaannya itu, iamenyadari tak bisa masuk ke dalam sinagoga untuk mendengarkan firman Allah danberdoa. Pas ketika bertemu Yesus, kedua hati mereka dipenuhi kuasa Allahlangsung tersambung. Dua kata: “Ikutilah Aku” dari Yesus segera mengubah hidupMatius. Ia berkeputusan untuk mengikuti Yesus. Bagi kita, berbicara dengan hatimerupakan kesempatan untuk menguatkan panggilan kita. Marilah kita berdoa.Dalam nama Bapa... Ya Tuhan Yesus Kristus, tinggallah selalu di dalam hati kamidan baharui hidup kami sesuai dengan kehendak-Mu. Salam Maria, penuh rahmat ...Dalam nama Bapa ...

Delivered by Nicole Orlincallysta Yacob and Michelle Jordyn Limanta from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Ephesians 4: 1-7.11-13; Rs psalm 19: 2-3.4-5; Matthew 9: 9-13.LET THE HEART SPEAK Our meditation today has the theme: Let the HeartSpeak. Today, September 21, our Church celebrates the feast of Saint Matthew,the apostle and evangelist. He was the son of Alphaeus who came from Capernaumaround the lake Gennesaret. He was known as a Roman tax collector, a job thatwas hated by people of his time because he worked with the colonialists. So he was considered a mortal sinner, and Jesus wasseverely criticized for making him one of His disciples. However, Jesusreasoned out that His task was to heal the sinful souls. The Church alsorecognizes Matthew as the author of the Gospel of the Lord, and he was theapostle who evangelized the area of ​​Ethiopia. The journey of faith ofMatthew, from being a sinner most hated by the people around him and eventuallybecame one of the disciples of Jesus was a movement of a heart that was filledwith the power of God. The Lord Jesus had a heart full of compassion and byseeing with His heart He chose people to be His partners in the work of HisMission. Matthew, in his profession as a public servant to the Roman governmentto collect taxes from people, also had a sincere heart and was open to the Lordwho had initiative to chose him. Therefore, Matthew was actually nothing toloose, which means, he had no problem of abandoning his current job. He justleft that job and followed Jesus. If we let the heart understand, choose and speak, theoutcome surely would be truth. We can see this in the facts of life. We believethat God is pleased to live in our consciences to give us wise and pure adviceevery time we make decisions. Meanwhile, our minds often play withrationalization, imagination and speculation, for example to make aself-defense, to show-off, to look for scapegoats, etc. The heart, however, ifit thinks and speaks, it makes us always live in the guidance of the one HolySpirit. Each heart of the believers speaks about each one's unique vocationfrom God and each tries to live up to that calling. Saint Paul says in his letter to the Church atEphesus, that every person is expected to use the gift of the Spirit that isunique to him, so that he can live a life that is united in one God and in onefaith. Matthew the tax collector, although his mind was preoccupied with taxmatters and all the benefits, his heart was clearly longing for God. Herealized that with this particular work, he would not enter the synagogue tohear the Word of God and to pray. It was a turning point for him when he met Jesus.Their two hearts were filled with God's power and were immediately connected.Jesus's two words that went, “follow me” had immediately changed Matthew's lifedirection. Without hesitation he decided to follow Jesus. For us, speaking withthe heart is an opportunity to strengthen our vocation. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus Christ, abide always in ourhearts and renew our lives according to Your will. Hail Mary, full of grace ...In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by Madeline Meggie Kurniawan from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Isaiah 55: 6-9; Rs psalm 145: 2-3.8-9.17-18; Philippians 1: 20c-24.27a; Matthew 20: 1-16.TO GIVE ACCORDING TO ONE'S ABILITY Our meditation on this 25th Sunday inOrdinary Time has the theme: To Give According to One's Ability. There was astory about a quarrel between sky and earth. There was a time earth urged skyto change each one's position. It seemed that earth was jealous to sky. Forearth, sky was much more beautiful and always worshiped, because human beingsalways point to the sky whenever they point to the place of God the almighty. Responding to the earth's complaint, the sky wiselysaid that the earth must not be able to occupy its position up there. Likewise,sky would not fit the position below it. Each one has been placed as such fromthe beginning by the Creator. They have an identity that cannot be replaced byanything and anyone. Each of them has a duty that has been given by God, asnarrated in the book of Genesis, and they must be responsible for carrying outthat duty. In short, both sky and earth have a responsibility togive to each other according to one's own ability. Likewise, all the contentsof sky and earth are responsible for giving to each other according to eachone's ability. Heaven and world also have the same responsibility. And ofcourse, both God and human beings have a relationship of love and each of themserves and gives according to one's own ability. To maintain this mutual carefor each other, mutual trust and respect are needed. There should be nojealousy and hatred between them. God has the power to control and to rule our lives andlet Him do it according to His will. Meanwhile, we have the duty to carry outGod's will, and let us do it responsibly. Our duty is to obey God and carry outHis commandments, so we must follow God's ways. We must always seek Him forguidance. We receive from Him goodness and truth to sustain us in this life.The Lord Jesus teaches us about duties of each person given by God and therewards that we will receive after we fulfill them. God determines and we, Hisservants, do the job. We must not take our own preferences and standards. It isa sin against Him. Saint Paul teaches us that when we give or offersomething according to each one's ability, we should always make ourselvesworthy and faithful to the gospel of Christ. We give something from ourselveswith the intention that it is for the glory of God and our anticipation for afuture living with Christ. The reward for those who obey God and follow theexamples of the Lord Jesus Christ is a life full of grace in heaven. When weare still on earth, we must give with the love of God. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, fill us with the gift of good willand ability to give which is sincere and just. Our Father who art in heaven ...In the name of the Father ...

Dibawakan oleh Madeline Meggie Kurniawan dan Rachel Dermawan Permadi dari Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. Yesaya 55: 6-9; Mazmur tg 145: 2-3.8-9.17-18; Filipi 1: 20c-24.27a; Matius 20: 1-16.MEMBERI SESUAI KEMAMPUAN Renungan kita pada hari MingguBiasa ke-25 ini bertema: Memberi Sesuai Kemampuan. Ada sebuah cerita tentangpertengkaran kecil antara langit dan bumi. Pada suatu kali bumi mendesak supayalangit berganti posisi dengannya. Rupanya bumi iri hati dengan langit. Iamemandang bahwa langit jauh lebih indah dan selalu dipuja, karena manusiaselalu menunjuk ke langit setiap kali menunjuk tempatnya Tuhan yang mahakuasa. Menanggapi keluhan bumi itu,langit dengan bijak berkata bahwa bumi pasti tidak mampu menempati posisi-nyadi atas sana. Demikian juga langit tidak akan cocok menempati posisi dibawahnya. Masing-masing sudah ditempatkan seperti itu dari awalnya oleh SangPencipta. Mereka memiliki jati dirinya yang tidak bisa digantikan oleh apa pundan siapa pun. Masing-masing memiliki tugas yang sudah diberikan oleh Tuhan,seperti yang dikisahkan di dalam kitab Kejadian, dan mereka harus bertanggungjawab untuk mengemban tugas tersebut. Singkatnya, baik langit maupunbumi memiliki tanggung jawab untuk saling memberi sesuai kemampuan. Demikianpula seluruh isi langit dan bumi bertanggung jawab untuk saling memberi sesuaidengan kemampuannya. Surga dan dunia juga memiliki tanggung jawab yang sama.Dan tentu saja baik Tuhan dan manusia terdapat suatu jalinan kasih danmasing-masingnya saling melayani dan memberikan sesuai kemampuannya. Untukmemelihara saling memperhatikan satu sama lain itu, sangat dibutuhkan salingpercaya dan saling menghargai. Tidak boleh ada iri hati dan benci di antaramereka. Tuhan memiliki kuasa untukmenguasai dan mengatur hidup manusia dan biarlah Dia melakukan itu sesuaikehendak-Nya. Sementara itu, manusia bertugas menjalankan kehendak Tuhan, danbiarlah ia melakukan itu dengan tanggung jawab. Tugas manusia ialah ketaatankepada Allah dan menjalankan perintah-Nya, maka ia harus mengikuti rancanganTuhan. Ia harus mencari-Nya selalu untuk mendapatkan petunjuk dari-Nya tentanghidup yang baik dan benar. Tuhan Yesus mengajarkan tentang tugas masing-masingdari Tuhan dan upah yang didapatkan setelah menjalankan tugas itu. Tuhan yangmenentukan dan kita para hamba-Nya menjalankan saja. Kita tidak boleh bermaindengan kesukaan dan standar kita sendiri. Itu adalah dosa melawan Dia. Santo Paulus mengajarkan, bahwademi suatu gaya kehidupan yang mengutamakan pemberian atau persembahan sesuaidengan kemampuan kita masing-masing, hendaknya hidup kita selalu berpadanandengan Injil Kristus. Kita memberikan sesuatu dari diri kita dengan maksudbahwa pemberian itu adalah demi kemuliaan Tuhan dan persiapan kita untuk suatukehidupan kelak bersama dengan Kristus. Kita hendaknya memberi dengan kasihTuhan.Marilahkita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa... Ya Tuhan, penuhilah kami dengan karuniakemampuan memberi dengan tulus dan adil. Bapa Kami yang ada di surga ... Dalamnama Bapa ...

Delivered by Heril Paulite from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. 1 Corinthians 15: 35-37.42-49; Rs psalm 56: 10-14; Luke 8: 4-15.WHEN WE BECOME GOOD SOIL Our meditation today has the theme: When We BecomeGood Soil. There was a piece of land near a farmer's house that was regularlycultivated and the farmer was certainly very concerned about the fertility ofthis land. This is very different from nomadic farms where farmers always moveto another after the soil of the former is no longer fertile. For a permanentfarm, the land is said to be fertile only when it has been turned over,crushed, loosened and fertilized. Therefore, a land of dry and stony soil isnot considered fertile for crops. Based on the word of God today, we should acknowledgeourselves as good and fertile soil. Every day we can prove with confidence andfaithfulness that God's word is our basic spiritual food. No spiritual lifewill develop to perfection without using the instrument of the word of God. The situation of soil that has not been turned over orcrushed is the same as a normal human person who is just flowing or feelingcomfortable and safe. That land is undisturbed or untouched, so it appears asit is. There is nothing new that could even be produced. Likewise, a person whois simply normal, calm, flowing with time and having no problem faced or havingno creativity and initiative made, of course this does not represent a lifewhich is interesting. When it comes to land that has gone through a processof turning over and over until it becomes loose, this refers to people who areexperiencing problems or difficulties in their lives. They are vulnerable,broken-hearted, hurt, suffering, tormented, abused, neglected, marginalized.Anyone who experiences life like this is clearly a fertile or good soil, whereGod pleases to cultivate His words and works. Some of us tell their lives'problems to their trusted neighbors so that they can experience sort ofrelieve, some of us don't want to tell their own stories so they just suffer insilence, then others try to forget about all the problems they are facing.However, God knows to do about all these situations of ours. If we want to have an advice from today's reflection,it would go like this one: If we right now are experiencing a problem which isso bothering us, let us not take it as a curse or just a result of somemistakes, or the cross that we must carry on. Let us see to it from a differentperspective, that is, we are the good and fertile soil and God is pleased toplant His words and gifts within us. God wants to cultivate something specialthat we even don't expect, yet we let Him do His job. Letus pray. In the name of the Father ... O Jesus our Lord, through Your mercy andhumility, make our hearts like Your heart. May our lives everyday not become invain because of the shortcomings or sufferings we experience, but they canbecome good opportunities to obtain salvation from the Father. Glory to theFather and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

Dibawakan oleh Yohanes Don Bosco Subekti dan Maria Ecclesia dari Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta, Indonesia. 1 Korintus 15: 35-37.42-49; Mazmur tg 56: 10-14; Lukas 8: 4-15.KALA KITA MENJADI TANAH SUBUR Renungan kita pada hari ini bertema: Kala Kita Menjadi Tanah Subur. Adasebidang lahan di dekat rumah seorang petani yang diolah dengan rutin danpetani tersebut tentu sangat peduli dengan kesuburan tanahnya. Ini sangatberbeda dengan kebun nomaden di mana petani berpindah-pindah lahan setelahkesuburan tanah sudah berkurang. Untuk lahan yang tetap, tanahnya dikatakansubur hanya ketika sudah dibalikkan atas bawa, dipacul, digemburkan dandipupuki. Tanah yang padat dan kering tidak dipandang subur untuk tanaman. Berdasarkan firman Tuhan pada hari ini, kita sepantasnya mengakui diri kitasebagai tanah yang baik dan subur itu. Setiap hari kita bisa membuktikan dengankeyakinan dan kesetiaan bahwa firman Tuhan adalah kebutuhan dasar rohani kita.Tak ada kehidupan rohani yang berkembang sampai tingkat kesempurnaan jika tidakmenggunakan instrumen firman Tuhan. Tanah yang belum dibalikkan atau dipacul situasinya sama dengan manusiayang normal, mengalir saja atau nyaman dan aman saja. Tanah itu tidak tergangguatau tidak disentuh, maka tampaknya seperti itu apa adanya. Tak ada apa-apayang baru bahkan yang dapat dihasilkannya. Demikiannya juga pribadi orang-orangyang normal, tenang, mengalir bersama waktu dan tak ada persoalan yang dihadapiatau kreativitas dan inisiatif yang dibuat, tentu ini tidak menarik.  Kalau mengenai tanah yang sudah melalui proses bolak-balik sampai menjadigembur, ini menunjuk pada orang-orang yang mengalami persoalan atau kesulitandalam hidupnya. Keadaan mereka rapuh, patah hati, sakit hati, menderita,tersiksa, teraniaya, terlantar, terpinggirkan. Siapa pun yang mengalami hidupseperti ini jelas sekali sebagai tanah subur, tempat Tuhan berkenan menanamifirman dan karya-Nya. Sebagian dari kita menceritakan persoalan hidupnyasehingga dapat diketahui juga oleh sesamanya, sebagian lagi tidak sudibercerita sehingga ia hanya menderita dalam diam, lalu sebagian lain berusahamelupakannya saja. Tetapi Tuhan tahu untuk berbuat atas keadaan itu. Satu nasihat bagi kita pada hari ini ialah: sekiranya kita saat inimengalami persoalan hidup yang mengganggu, jangan menanggap itu sebagai kutukanatau akibat dari kesalahan atau salib yang harus dipikul. Marilah kitamelihatnya dengan pandangan yang lain, yaitu kita adalah tanah subur dan Tuhanberkenan menanami firman dan karunia-Nya di dalam diri kita. Tuhan inginmenanamkan sesuatu yang istimewa yang tidak kita duga, dan biarkan Diamelakukan itu. Marilah kita berdoa.Dalam nama Bapa ... Ya Yesus Tuhan kami, melalui kemurahan dan kerendahanhati-Mu, jadikanlah hati kami seperti hati-Mu. Semoga hidup kami hari demi haritidak menjadi sia-sia, namun karena kekurangan atau penderitaan yang kami alamidapat menjadi kesempatan untuk mendapatkan keselamatan dari Bapa. Kemuliaankepada Bapa dan Putra dan Roh Kudus ... Dalam nama Bapa ...

This week we're joined by one of the most influential chefs of his generation, Josh Niland, the Australian chef who has completely changed the way the restaurant world thinks about fish. Josh tells us why our obsession with ultra-fresh fish may actually be holding us back, how learning to treat fish more like meat transformed his cooking, and why a piece of advice from legendary fish chef Stephen Hodges changed the course of his career. He also reveals the influence of Heston Blumenthal on his thinking, why so many chefs initially thought his ideas were completely mad, and how he went from questioning everything he'd been taught about seafood to building Saint Peter around an entirely new philosophy.But some of Josh's greatest innovations came out of necessity rather than ambition. He takes us back to the terrifying moment his accountant told him, “You're not even going to make it to August,” and explains how the financial pressure of running a restaurant forced him to confront just how much valuable fish chefs were throwing in the bin. That obsession with using the whole animal has since produced some extraordinary dishes: tuna treated like beef and turned into everything from ribeye and sirloin to cheeseburgers, sobrassada and Wellington, fish eyes transformed into crackers, and matured kingfish kept for more than two weeks until its skin becomes dry and crisp while the flesh develops remarkable flavour.We also hear about the experiments that pushed even Josh's philosophy to its limits — from making ice cream from the fat surrounding fish eyes to turning fish fat into soap and candles, and even finding uses for the bones that would normally be discarded. Josh explains why ageing fish can make it better rather than worse, why chefs could effectively be throwing away half their profits every time they fillet one, and why insecurity and convention have made the industry so resistant to change. It's a fascinating conversation about creativity, failure, waste, money and the extraordinary possibilities hidden inside the parts of a fish most of us have spent our lives throwing away.Get 2 Months of Blinq For Free - With Code - GOTOBLINQ - https://blinqme.com/Watch and Subscribe To Our Youtube Videos Here - https://www.youtube.com/@gotofood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fr Adrian Crowley and Naoimh Barbieri talk about the Holy Spirit in ordinary life: journaling at dawn, teaching children honesty through small things like an unpaid-for bottle of shower gel, and why an architect cousin insists AI will never replace a designer's heart. Two conversion stories anchor the conversation, a farmer who mended a bitter feud and a foul-mouthed policeman whose language changed overnight, alongside a case for praying the Novena to the Holy Spirit outside of Pentecost. L'articolo Catechesis – Saint Peter Claver: A Journey of Radical Love – Fr Adrian Crowley proviene da Radio Maria.

Fr. Steve's Homily from September 9, 2026

Fr. John Brancich, FSSP, is the pastor of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained into the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in 2004. In Today's Show: Are my parents able to give my children a blessing? Is there any special requirement – other than being in danger of death – for someone to receive an Apostolic Pardon? When a baby dies, do they remain a baby in Heaven forever? Or do they age? How should we handle anger as a Catholic? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Homily by Fr. Michael Renninger

Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) William discusses all about the fact that The Church existed from its Institution by Jesus Christ, Who appointed Peter as the first Pope, and the Popes a that succeeded Saint Peter held the office of Supreme Pontiff and whose authority was respected in the ancient Church, down to today.

Send us Fan Mail1413. Fr Joe homily: Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest | Wednesday, September 9, 2026Check out the JIBM Web site at:  https://www.joeinblackministries.com/To submit comments or questions, please email: joeinblackministries@gmail.comPlease use the following link if you would like to financially support  Church of the Holy Family: https://pushpay.com/g/hfgrandblanc?sr…Check out the JIBM Web site at:  https://www.joeinblackministries.com/Support the show

ROSARY - GLORIOUS MYSTERIES today.  DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET for Wednesday.

Today we celebrate Saint Peter Claver. He was born in Spain and became a Jesuit priest. He did not come to the United States. He served as a missionary in Cartagena, in what is now Colombia.

Memorial of Saint Peter ClaverMatthew 25:31-40"Then the righteous will answer him and say,'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,or thirsty and give you drink?When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,or naked and clothe you?When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'And the king will say to them in reply,'Amen, I say to you, whatever you didfor one of the least brothers of mine you did for me.'"

Fr. Jeremiah Caughran Reconciled to Reconcile, Matthew 18.15-20 When Jesus teaches the one must go to a brother who has sinned against him, we must realized what underlies such a command. The purpose of such going is to bring about reconciliation and the reason one would seek reconciliation with another is because Jesus has reconciled his people to himself and the Father. We don't confront another to lord over them, but out of a heart of brotherly love seeking the other's repentance not merely to us, but before God himself.Image: The Embrace of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Harvard Art Museums, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Josh Niland  joined Philip Clark on Nightlife to discuss his much coveted 'three hat' ranking in the Good Food Guide as well as international accolades for his approach to cooking. 

When Jesus chose Saint Peter to be the first of many Popes of the Catholic Church, He knew that he was choosing a faithful, but fallible, human being to work in harmony with the Holy Spirit in leading the divinely instituted Universal Church. Nearly 2000 years later, the gates of Hell have still not prevailed against it.

When Jesus chose Saint Peter to be the first of many Popes of the Catholic Church, He knew that he was choosing a faithful, but fallible, human being to work in harmony with the Holy Spirit in leading the divinely instituted Universal Church. Nearly 2000 years later, the gates of Hell have still not prevailed against it.

Capernaum was Jesus' ministry headquarters on the shore of the Sea of Galilee—the setting for many of His miracles and a favorite stop on our Israel tours. Just a stone's throw from the ancient synagogue stands a church built over what was once a first-century house. Could this have been the home of St. Peter? Listen in as Rich and Jerrell explore layer upon layer of archaeological and historical evidence supporting this fascinating theory. There's no sign on the door bearing Peter's name. But as the Biblical Archaeological Society points out, “Were it not for its association with Jesus and Peter, why else would a run-of-the-mill first-century house in Capernaum have become a focal point of Christian worship and identity for centuries to come?” Could an ordinary house have an extraordinary connection to one of Jesus' closest disciples? Tune in and hear the evidence for yourself. See Caperanum for yourself on our Jordan/Israel Signature Tour! https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-jordan-israel-2027#itinerary Read more about Capernaum in scripture: Jesus regarded Capernaum as His home (Mt 9:1; Mk 2:1; 3:19; 10:10), and He likely lived in St. Peter's house. He performed many miracles in the town (Mt 4:18-22; Mk 1:34), and there He chose his first four disciples (Peter, Andrew, James, and John); later also enlisting the tax-collector Matthew (Mt 9:9; Mk 2:14; Lk 5:27). This is also where He healed the centurion's servant (Lk 7:1-10). His mother Mary visited (Mk 3:31). He explained His parables in greater depth to the disciples in Peter's house (Mk 7:17). Here He embraced the little child and taught about humility and servanthood (Mk 9:33-37) (written by Dave Armstrong).

Read OnlineOvercoming the Gates of hellJesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13–16The symbolism associated with Caesarea Philippi is central to today's Gospel. Located north of Jesus' home base in Capernaum, it was a predominantly pagan city known for its shrines to false gods. One of the most prominent was Pan, after whom the region was named Panias (later Banias). Pan, a Greek god, was honored at a shrine near a large cave and spring considered the entrance to Hades. Pan was the god of nature, shepherds, flocks, wild places, fertility, and rustic music, and was often depicted as half man, half goat, with horns and hooves. He played the pan flute and was associated with lust, chaos, and sudden fear—from which we get the word panic.Additionally, the city was the site of a temple dedicated to the late emperor, Caesar Augustus, who was worshiped as a god throughout the Roman Empire. It was into this spiritually dark pagan setting that Jesus led His disciples—on what may have been a two-day journey—for what culminated in a single, monumental question.Jesus took the Twelve away from the comfort of their familiar fishing village and Jewish neighbors for a reason. He wanted them to answer His question not in the midst of the familiar and safe, but in a place marked by spiritual confusion and idolatry. Why? So that faith could be professed even there, and divine grace could confront the darkness that permeated the region.At first, He asked who the people said He was. They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” But then He posed the question that reached the heart of His mission: “But who do you say that I am?” This was a moment of divine testing—one which Simon passed with profound faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus' extraordinary and consequential response has enduring significance to this day. He declared:“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:17–19).With these sacred words, Jesus founded His Church upon Peter, making him the first pope. In biblical tradition, a change of name signifies a new mission and identity. Simon, son of Jonah, was now to be called Peter—Petros in Greek and Cephas in Aramaic—meaning “rock.” Peter became the solid foundation upon which Christ's Church would be built. No pagan power, false god, or earthly ruler would ever overcome what Christ established with divine authority.Reflect today on the significance of the papacy. Even now, in the successor of Saint Peter, the words of Simon continue to echo throughout the world: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is the pope's first and most important duty—to bear witness to Christ, the Son of God. Despite the personal weaknesses of some popes and the saintliness of others, it is Jesus who established Peter and his successors as the visible foundation of the Church. Pray for the Holy Father, and trust in the timeless witness of every pope since that first moment in Caesarea Philippi—a witness upheld not by human strength, but by Christ's own promise. To profess faith in the papacy is to profess faith in the One who instituted it and endowed it with His divine authority.My Lord, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. With Simon, I profess this truth and place my faith in You, who established Simon, son of Jonah, as Peter—the rock and foundation of Your Church. I believe and profess that the gates of hell shall never prevail against the Church, not because of human strength or perfection, but because of Your eternal promise. I pray for our Holy Father, the pope, and for all his successors. Make them true and faithful witnesses to the confession first spoken by Saint Peter. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Christ handing the Keys to St Peter, by Lawrence OP, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

In this episode, Naveen Mehrotra, MD, MPH, President, Medical Staff, Saint Peter's HealthCare System, discusses holistic pediatric care, physician leadership, and the importance of mentorship, purpose, and strong hospital-physician relationships.

Fr. John Brancich, FSSP, is the pastor of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was ordained into the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in 2004. In Today's Show: Do you believe that most people go to Hell? I was listening to a podcast with Fr. Chad Ripperger, and when asked that question, he said: “According to the saints, they do.” Do you know which saints he is referring to? Does anyone know what happened to the sign that was above Jesus when he was on the cross? If it still exists, would it be considered a relic? Does the relic stone always match the namesake of the church? What about in the case of a church named after Our Lady? ​​My son is getting married in the Catholic Church, but is not having a full Mass. Is this valid? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Read OnlineLimitless ForgivenessPeter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21–22In the Book of the Prophet Amos, a poetic formula is repeated: “For three crimes of Damascus, and now four—I will not take it back…” (cf. Amos 1). By the time of Jesus, rabbinic tradition had adopted the interpretation of this passage to mean that God forgives three times, but not four and, therefore, so should we: “When a person commits a transgression the first time, he is forgiven; a second time, he is forgiven; a third time, he is forgiven; but the fourth time, he is not forgiven” (Yoma 86b).In today's Gospel, Peter's question is generous but still rooted in human calculation. His question follows immediately after Jesus teaches about fraternal correction. Peter, taking in this instruction and knowing the rabbinic tradition, more than doubles the expected number of times to forgive, suggesting seven. But Jesus immediately corrects him—not to reject his generosity, but to elevate it: “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”This phrase, “seventy-seven times,” is not a literal number; it signifies that forgiveness must be limitless, reflecting the boundless mercy of God. It is not merely a command to repeat acts of forgiveness, but an invitation to let our hearts be formed by Divine Mercy.The parable Jesus tells in response to Peter's question offers deeper insight into His meaning. It echoes the fifth petition of the Lord's Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” A king has a servant who owes him a huge amount—an unpayable debt, symbolizing the incalculable weight of our sin before God. When the servant begs for patience, the king goes beyond all expectation: he forgives the entire debt out of compassion. But that same servant, having just received mercy, encounters a fellow servant who owes him only a small amount. Rather than extending the mercy he himself had received, he becomes violent, demanding repayment and imprisoning the man. The king, upon hearing this, is enraged—not merely because of injustice, but because of the servant's utter failure to mirror the mercy he had been shown. Jesus concludes with a sobering warning: “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”Limitless forgiveness is very difficult unless we have a deep and abiding gratitude for the Divine Mercy God has shown us. Our debt before God is incalculable. We could never repay it on our own. Though we might be tempted to think, “I'm a good person,” Scripture reminds us: “All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Without Jesus taking on our human condition and paying the debt of our sin through His suffering and death, we could not be saved. Grasping this truth and allowing it to penetrate our hearts is essential to living the Christian life.Only when we become keenly aware of the mercy God has poured into our lives can we foster true gratitude. And it is that gratitude that must inspire and compel us to offer the same limitless mercy to everyone who sins against us—no exceptions, no conditions. Just as we have been forgiven, so must we forgive, from the heart.Reflect today on how deeply you are aware of the mercy God has shown you. Do you take it for granted, or have you allowed it to transform you? Consider especially those you struggle to forgive. Let gratitude for God's mercy soften your heart. From that softened heart, choose to forgive—not seven times, but seventy-seven times and beyond. In doing so, you will reflect the very heart of God and become a vessel of His saving grace in the world.Most merciful Jesus, there is no limit to the love and forgiveness You continuously offer us. We are indebted to You with our very lives. Please give me the grace I need to be truly grateful for Your Divine Mercy and to express that gratitude by showing the same limitless mercy to all. Use me, dear Lord, as a vessel of Your grace and tender care. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Jesus and Saint Peter, by Jean-Baptiste CapronnierSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.