Podcasts about SDB

Bài giảng của Lm Phêrô Trần Anh Tú, SDB trong thánh lễ Chúa nhật V Phục sinh năm C, cử hành lúc 17:30 ngày 18-5-2025 tại Nhà nguyện Trung tâm Mục vụ TGP Sài Gòn.

Dibawakan oleh Tirto, Hendry, Rini dan Pater Peter, SDB dari Komunitas Pukat Labuan Bajo di Keuskupan Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Kisah Para Rasul 13: 14.43-52; Mazmur tg 100: 2.3.5; Wahyu 7: 9.14b-17; Yohanes 10: 27-30.GEMBALA DAN DOMBA YANG BAIK Tema renungan kita pada hari Minggu Paskah ke-4 ini ialah: Gembala danDomba Yang Baik. Hari ini, menurut tradisi Gereja adalah hari Minggu Gembalayang Baik. Gereja merayakanan ini dengan kegiatan Minggu panggilan. Kita semuapaham bahwa para gembala dan pelayanan Gereja dan Masyarakat merupakan buahdari sebuah proses pembinaan orang-orang terpilih dan terpanggil. Mereka adalahpria dan wanita yang ingin menjawab panggilan Tuhan secara khusus yang disebutpanggilan imamat dan hidup membiara. Kata gembala dari bahasa Latin pastor, dan bahasa Inggris shepherd, menunjukpada diri Yesus Kristus, Gembala agung dan utama. Yesus mengatakan sendiritentang ini dalam Injil Yohanes pada hari ini. Ia lalu jadikan kita semuadomba-domba gembalaan-Nya. Bagi kita di dalam Gereja Katolik, misi YesusKristus sebagia gembala menjadi sebuah tugas partisipatif, yang berarti bahwamereka yang terpilih itu mengambil bagian dalam misi Yesus sendiri. Itulahmengapa kita memiliki Gereja dan ada perutusan yang diberikan Yesus dan Gereja. Partisipasi ini berwujud pada beberapa tingkat. Paus yang menggantikanposisi rasul Petrus, para Uskup yang menggantikan para rasul dapat kita katakanmereka adalah para gembala lingkaran pertama yang melanjutkan penggembalaanYesus Kristus. Sampai saat ini mereka menduduki tahta kepemimpinan GerejaUniversal dan Gereja Lokal. Jabatan yang menyusul ialah para imam yangberpartisipasi dalam tugas imamat Uskupnya. Ada imam diosesan yang bekerja dikeuskupan masing-masing dan imam tarekat yang bekerja melalui perutusan tarekatmasing-masing.  Tingkat yang lebih luas ialah para biarawan dan biarawati, yang jugamemiliki perutusan dalam membesarkan Gereja, merawatnya dan sebagai saksi hidupKerajaan Allah. Dan yang lebih luas lagi ialah setiap orang pengikut Kristusyang memiliki tanggung jawab untuk berada bersama, menemani dan menjaga sesamadi sekitarnya. Setiap orang dibaptis untuk menjadi gembala bagi sesamanya yanglain. Ia harus berpartisipasi pada penggembalaan Kristus. Menurut inspirasi bacaan liturgi hari ini, perhatian gembala kepadadomba-dombanya dapat diringkaskan menjadi tiga. Pertama, gembala mengenaldomba-dombanya. Mengenal, mengetahui dan memahami merupakan bentuk-bentuk kasihsayang dan perhatian.  Kedua, perhatiangembala yang lebih tinggi derajat dan kualitasnya ialah kalau ia berkorban demikebaikan dan keselamatan orang-orang yang disayanginya. Ketiga, gembala peduliakan kenyamanan dan keselamatan jiwa mereka yang ia perhatikan. Jadi, kitasebagai pengikut Kristus yang terpanggil dan terbentuk dalam seluruh perjalananiman di dunia ini adalah gembala. Kristus sendiri yang akan memampukan kitauntuk menjadi gembala.Marilahkita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa ... Ya Allah dan Tuhan kami, jadikanlah kamidomba-domba yang benar dan baik di dalam Gereja-Mu. Bapa kami yang ada di surga... Dalam nama Bapa ...

Dibawakan oleh Tirto, Rini, Hendry dan Pater Peter, SDB dari Komunitas Pukat Labuan Bajo di Keuskupan Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Kisah Para Rasul 5: 27b-32.40b-41; Mazmur tg 30: 2.4.5.6.11.12a.13b; Wahyu 5: 11-14; Yohanes 21: 1-14.BERJUMPA DENGAN TUHAN Renungan kita pada hari Minggu Paskah ke-3 ini bertema: Berjumpa DenganTuhan. Masa sesudah hari raya kebangkitan Tuhan atau Paskah disebut masa Paskah.Kita semua sedang berada di dalam masa ini. Semua yang terjadi di dalam masaini, seperti yang dikisahkan di dalam Kisah Para Rasul adalah serangkaianpertemuan Yesus yang bangkit dengan para rasul, murid-murid dan anggota-anggotaGereja Perdana. Kesaksian tentang Yesus yang bangkit datang dari pengungkapanlangsung tentang rangkaian pertemuan tersebut. Sebuah kebenaran membutuhkan fakta-fakta atau realita untuk mendukungnya.Di urutan pertama pembuktian fakta-fakta itu ialah kesaksian mereka yang secaralangsung mengalami melalui semua inderanya sebagai manusia yang memiliki akalbudi dan kepekaan. Kisah Para Rasul di dalam perjanjian baru mengisahkanpembuktian tersebut. Bila kesaksian para rasul dan murid-murid itu sangatdibantah dan berujung pada penganiayaan dari pihak Yahudi dan para pemimpinagama, penyebab utamanya ialah karena Yesus Kristus sendiri ditolak dan tidakbisa dijadikan Tuhan bagi mereka. Kesaksian para rasul adalah sebuah kesaksian kunci. Mereka melihat,mendengar, menyentu, dan berbicara secara langsung dengan Yesus yang bangkit. Pertama-tamamengalami itu sebagai pribadi-pribadi dan seterusnya sebagai satu komunitasjemaat Gereja Perdana. Yang kita dengar dari bacaan Injil hari ini sungguhmenggambarkan bagaimana pertemuan dan pengalaman dengan Yesus yang bangkitmencakup semua aspek jasmani dan rohani kehidupan Gereja. Tuhan menampakkandiri ketika umat-Nya sedang bekerja di tempat kerjanya masing-masing. Di dalampekerjaan itu, manusia diberikan jaminan akan penyertaan kuasa Allah, sehinggaia mampu mengatasi kesulitan dan kegagalan di dalam pekerjaannya. Perjumpaan dengan Tuhan juga terjadi melalui doa-doa dan ungkapan pujianserta syukur. Bagi Gereja kita, doa yang terbesar dan tertinggi tingkatnyaialah Ekaristi. Di dalam perayaan Ekaristi, Tuhan sendiri menyediakan santapandiri-Nya sendiri untuk kita pestakan dan nikmati bersama. Ekaristi jugamerupakan suatu tanda pelayanan, yang berawal di dalam Gereja melalui perayaansakramennya, dan akan menjadi utuh dan nyata ketika kita menghayatinya di luargedung gereja atau rumah ibadat. Oleh karena itu Ekaristi ini menjadi sebuahMisa, karena dengannya kita diutus untuk menjadi saksi-saksi Kristus ditengah-tengah dunia. Setiap dari kita, mulai dengan Bunda Maria dan para rasul sampai saat ini,perjumpaan dengan Tuhan perlu kita jadikan sebagai bukti kesaksian kita tentangTuhan. Biarpun di dalam keadaan yang sulit untuk memberikan kesaksian, bahkanbisa seperti pengalaman Yesus sendiri sebagai anak domba yang siap disembeli,kesaksian itu harus tetap ditunjukkan dan diungkapkan. Marilahkita berdoa. Dalam nama... Ya Tuhan, semoga perayaan pada hari Minggu iniadalah kesempatan istimewa perjumpaan kami sesungguhnya sebagai pribadi danpersekutuan jemaat dengan Dikau. Kemuliaan kepada Bapa dan Putra dan Roh Kudus... Dalam nama Bapa...

Dibawakan oleh Rini, Tirto, Hendry dan Pater Peter, SDB dari Komunitas Pukat Labuan Bajo di Keuskupan Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Kisah Para Rasul 5: 12-16; Mazmur tg 118: 2-4.22-24.25-27a; Wahyu 1: 9-11a.12-13.17-19; Yohanes 20: 19-31ENERGI POSITIVE Tema renungan kita pada hari Minggu Paskah ke-2 ini ialah:Energi Positif. Di dalam rumah sering terjadi keributan antara suami dan istri.Entah masalah kecil yang sudah biasa atau yang baru terjadi, suaramasing-masingnya langsung meninggi dan kata-kata kasar meluncur begitukencangnya. Sering benda-benda melayang sampai mengenai tubuh, bahkan kekerasanfisik terjadi dengan tanpa halangan apapun. Singkatnya, yang sering keluar dari masing-masingnya ialahenergi negatif. Jarang sekali terjadi misalnya yang satu negatif dan yanglainnya positif. Yang satu keluar sebagai api sedangkan yang lain sebagai air.Apalagi misalnya mereka masing-masing seperti bunga dan kupu-kupu, hampir tidakpernah terjadi. Suasana kehidupan yang serba negatif dan sulit ini merupakancontoh dari banyak situasi kehidupan di antara kita. Kebebasan berkomunikasidan penggunaan media sosial saat ini, sering memperlihatkan adanya penyebaranenergi-energi negatif yang meresahkan hidup bersama di dalam rumah, masyarakatdan Gereja. Yesus yang bangkit menjalankan perutusan dari Bapa yangbertujuan untuk menghadirkan energi positif, yang menurut kitab suci dankeyakinan kita disebut Roh Kudus. Tuhan Allah tidak tega membiarkan konflik dankekacauan berlanjut terus-menerus yang disebabkan oleh energi-energi negatifantar-pribadi manusia yang saling menyerang, tanpa campur tangan-Nya. Kitaharus dapat mengamini bahwa justru karena keadaan kita yang penuh konflik danmasalah, maka Tuhan campur tangan. Sebaliknya jika keadaan kita aman, nyaman,damai dan bahagia, mustahil Tuhan harus berkorban dan mau menyelamatkan  kita.  Tuhan Yesus berkuasa untuk menutupi semua kesedihan,kerapuhan, dan kedosaan kita dengan energi dari Roh Kudus: “Damai sejahterabagi kamu!”. Ia mengatasi ketakutan dan kebingungan kita dengan energiperutusan: “Sama seperti Bapa mengutus Aku, demikian juga sekarang Aku mengutuskamu.” Ia memenuhi pengetahuan dan kebijaksanaan kita dengan energi Roh Kudus:“Terimalah Roh Kudus.”. Ia melengkapi setiap dari kita dengan energi kerahimanilahi supaya dunia ini dibaharui: “Jikalau kamu mengampuni dosa orang, dosanyadiampuni, dan yang tidak diampuni maka dosanya tidak diampuni”.  Satu contoh konkret yang menerima energi positif dan muliadari Tuhan ialah rasul Thomas. Contoh lain ialah orang-orang sakit di Yerusalemyang disembuhkan oleh para rasul. Begitu energi Roh Kudus masuk ke dalam dirimereka, hasil yang paling kentara ialah hidup mereka menjadi baru. Hidupnyayang lama ditinggalkan. Energi terbaru ini diungkapkan dengan sangat gamblangoleh Tuhan kepada rasul Yohanes: “Aku telah mati, namun lihatlah, Aku hidupsampai selama-lamanya. Energi baru kita ialah Roh Yesus Kristus yang bangkit. Marilah kita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa ... Ya Yesus, jadikanlahdiri kami pembawa suka cita Paskah sebagai Injil yang hidup kepada sasama kami.Bapa kami yang ada di surga ... Dalam nama Bapa ...

Dibawakan oleh Hendry, Rini, Tirto dan Pater Peter, SDB dari Komunitas Pukat Labuan Bajo di Keuskupan Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Kisah Para Rasul 10: 34a.37-43; Mazmur tg 118: 1-2.16ab-17.22-23; Kolose 3: 1-4; Yohanes 20: 1-9KITA BERSORAK: ALLELUIA Renungan kita pada hari Minggu, Hari Raya Paskah iniialah: Kita Bersorak: Alleluia. Seorang bocah laki-laki yang masih sekolah diTaman Kanak-Kanak, ikut menyaksikan tablo Jalan Salib di gereja bersamakeluarganya. Ia ditemani kedua orang tuanya dan kakaknya perempuan. Kakek danneneknya juga ikut, sehingga mereka sebagai keluarga yang lengkap menghadiriibadat Jumat Agung pagi itu. Yang sungguh membuat lengkap ialah kakak sulungbocah itu, berusia 17 tahun dan siswa SMA kelas 3, yang berperan sebagai YesusKristus di dalam tablo itu. Bocah itu mulai menangis ketika melihat kakaknya disiksa,dipukul, diinjak, memikul salib kayu hitam dan dipaksa untuk berjalan.Tangisannya semakin keras pada saat Yesus dilucuti seluruh pakaiannya, kemudiandipakukan tubuhnya pada salib besar dan kokoh. Seterusnya, ketika salib ituditegakkan dan tubuh Yesus bergantung padanya, bocah itu menutup wajahnyasambil menangis sejadi-jadinya. Ia membenamkan diri dalam pelukan ibundanya,sambil bapaknya terus-menerus mengusap kepalanya untuk menenangkan dia. Begitu tablo Jalan Salib itu selesai, kakak sulungnya yangmemerankan Yesus bertemu dengan keluarga. Si bocah dipeluk dan digendong sangkakak. Ia sudah bangkit dan gembira, melebih semua rasa gembiranya selama ini,karena ia berjumpa dengan kakaknya dalam keadaan yang normal, segar, dan ceria.Seluruh keluarga juga ikut bergembira. Tangisan dan kesedihan bocah itu cukupmenjadi contoh konkret bagi kita semua yang mengikuti semua proses peristiwaYesus, sejak dari ruang atas tempat perjamuan malam terakhir sampaipemakamannya. Tahap pertama ini adalah penderitaan dan kematian. Tahap kedua yang menyusul ialah kepenuhan kehendak Allah,karena penderitaan dan kematian itu berubah menjadi suka cita dan kehidupan.Suasana dan pengalaman yang menyelimuti seluruh kehidupan lahir-batin kita yangmenjadi buah perubahan ini ialah sorak-sorai di seluruh alam semesta: Alleluia.Kehidupan dan keselamatan untuk memiliki karunia kehidupan abadi menjadi milikkita. Pengalaman Yesus adalah sebuah kenyataan, yang telah dipersiapkan olehTuhan melalui: penciptaan manusia, kejatuhan di dalam dosa, keluarnya bangsaterpilih dari Mesir, pewartaan para nabi, dan sampai puncaknya pada peristiwakedatangan Yesus orang Nazareth. Seluruh pengalaman itu, sepatutnya menjadi model bagiperjalanan hidup setiap pribadi kita dan komunitas orang beriman, maka poladasar yang kita ikuti sangat perlu berbentuk “dari taman Getzemani ke Golgota”kemudian memuncak pada kebangkitan. Dengan kata lain, kita akan mencapaikebahagian dan kemuliaan hanya dengan melalui perjuangan, penderitaan dankematian. Tidak ada kemuliaan tanpa penderitaan. Tidak ada kehidupan tanpakematian. Spiritualitas salib dan kebangkitan ini perlu menjadi pedoman hidupkita semua.Marilah kita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa ... Ya Tuhan Yesus,terima kasih atas penderitaan dan kebangkitan-Mu yang menyelamatkan kami. SalamMaria penuh rahmat ... Dalam nama Bapa ...

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Dibawakan oleh Hendry, Rini, Tirto dan Pater Peter, SDB dari Komunitas Pukat Labuan Bajo di Keuskupan Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Yesaya 50: 4-7; Mazmur tg 22: 8-9.17-18a.19-20.23-24; Filipi 2: 6-11; Lukas 19: 28-40.PENYAMBUTAN Tema renungan kita pada hari Minggu Palma atau MingguSengsara ini ialah Penyambutan. Pada waktu melakukan ibadat pemberkatan rumah,sampai pada bagian pintu depan atau gerbang, seorang Pastor terdengarmengucapkan doa berikut ini: “Semoga dalam kuasa Allah dan melalui manfaatpintu ini, kebaikan dan kebenaran disambut ke dalam rumah sedangkan kesalahandan kejahatan dikeluarkan.” Ucapan doa dan gerakan tanda salib serta siramanair suci atas gerbang itu selalu disaksikan langsung oleh anggota keluarga bersangkutan. Setiap tempat kita berada dan berkegiatan berfungsimenyambut dan melepaskan. Hati, pikiran dan diri kita menyambut informasi ataupengetahuan, tetapi juga mengeluarkan apa saja yang sepatutnya keluar. Rumahdan kota juga melakukan yang sama, menyambut dan melepaskan. Intinya ialahbahwa sistem alam dan pemahaman normal menjelaskan bahwa tindakan penyambutanmengandaikan adanya pengluaran. Supaya ada yang masuk, di dalamnya mesti keluarlebih dahulu agar ada tempat bagi yang masuk. Hidup kita di dalam masa PraPaskah ini diwarnai oleh perbuatanpenyambutan rahmat Tuhan yang mengalir tanpa henti, untuk membuat diri kitalayak berjalan beriringan dengan Tuhan Yesus Kristus. Tetapi tindakan untukpelepasan atau pengluaran segala rintangan yang ada di dalam diri kita jugasangat perlu kita lakukan. Aneka disiplin berupa doa yang semakin tekun,bermatiraga melalui puasa dan pantang, dan amal kasih sangat efektif untukmemperlancar gerakan pelepasan dan penyambutan tersebut.  Gerbang Yerusalem dan perayaan Minggu Palma ini terbukabagi kita untuk menyambut Yesus Mesias, Raja dari segala raja, Sang JuruSelamat dunia. Yang harus dikeluarkan pertama-tama ialah cara paham yang salahtentang Raja Kristus. Ia tidak boleh dianggap sebagai raja atau pimpinan perangyang ada di dunia. Ia harus disambut sebagai raja damai, suka cita, dankeselamatan. Kita juga perlu mengeluarkan pandangan yang bodoh bahwa sebagaiTuhan Ia tidak boleh menderita dan mati secara keji. Sebaliknya kita harus menyambutDia sebagai Tuhan yang berkorban nyawa bagi setiap pribadi kita. Kita harus menyambut Dia sebagai manusia yang tidak pernahmenolak dan berontak balik, ketika martabatnya diinjak-injak dengan berbagaifitnahan keji dan kekerasan fisik. Maka kita perlu mengeluarkan anggapan bahwaYesus Kristus harusnya melarikan diri untuk menghindari bahaya dari paramusuh-Nya. Kita sepatutnya menyambut Dia sebagai Tuhan yang merendahkandiri-Nya, tetapi pada akhirnya akan ditinggikan oleh Bapa di surga. Oleh karenaitu kita perlu mengeluarkan segala bentuk egoisme dan kesombongan yang selalumenjadi hambatan bagi kita untuk sesungguhnya mengikuti jejak Kristus.Marilah kita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa ... Ya Yesus Sang Raja,kuatkanlah iman kami untuk selalu mengakui-Mu sebagai Raja yang sejati,sehingga hidup kami selalu bertujuan untuk melakukan kehendak Bapa. Kemuliaankepada Bapa dan Putra dan Roh Kudus ... Dalam nama Bapa ...

Delivered by the Vocationist Sisters in Labuan Bajo and Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Isaiah 50: 4-7; Rs psalm 22: 8-9.17-18a.19-20.23-24; Philippians 2: 6-11; Luke 19: 28-40.WELCOME The title for our meditation on this Palm Sunday or thePassion Sunday is Welcome. During the house blessing service, when at the frontdoor or gate, it was heard the following prayer said by the Pastor: "Mayin the power of God and through the benefit of this door, goodness andrighteousness be welcomed into the house while error and evil must be dispelled."That formula of prayer was said and followed by the making of the sign of blessingthen accompanied with the sprinkling of holy water on the door or gate. All thesewere witnessed directly by the family members present. In every place where we are and do activities, wenormally welcome and release something. Our hearts, minds and wills normally welcomeinformation or knowledge, but also release what should go out. Homes and citiesalso do the same, welcoming and letting go. The point is that the naturalsystem and normal understanding explain that the act of welcoming presupposesthe outgoing. In order for someone to enter, one must go out first to provide aspace for the one who enters. Our lives in this period of Lent and about to feel theexcitement of the Holy Week are colored by the act of welcoming God's gracethat flows unceasingly, to make ourselves worthy to walk in companion with theLord Jesus Christ. However, it is also so important for us to leave behind allobstacles that are within us during this time of grace. Our observance ofprayer which is more intensive, of mortification through fast and abstinence,and of doing charity to be more tangible are very effective in facilitating ourpractices of releasing and welcoming.  The gate of Jerusalem and this festive celebration ofPalm Sunday are open to us to welcome Jesus the Messiah, the King of kings, andthe Savior of the world. What must be removed first is the wrong way ofunderstanding the Christ our great King. He cannot be considered as the king orpresident that exists in the world. He is to be welcomed as the King of peace,joy, and salvation. We must also avoid to express the foolish view that says theLord should not suffer and die in the so cruel way. Instead we must welcome Himas God who sacrifices his own life for each and all of us sinners. We must welcome Him as a human being who never resistsand fights back, when His dignity is trampled on by all kinds of hostileslander and physical violence. So we need to abandon the impression that JesusChrist had to flee to avoid danger from His enemies. We should welcome Him as ahumble Lord, but will ultimately be exalted by our Father in heaven. Therefore,we need to get rid of all forms of selfishness and pride that have always beenan obstacle for us to truly follow in the footsteps of Christ.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Jesus the King,strengthen our faith to always acknowledge You as the true King, so that ourlives always aim at doing the Father's will. Glory to the Father and to the Sonand to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Dr. Mark Levi, a leading expert in Pediatric Craniofacial Sleep Medicine, to explore innovative approaches to improving children's sleep and overall well-being. With over 30 years of experience in dentistry and more than two decades in craniofacial dental sleep medicine, Dr. Levi brings a wealth of knowledge to our discussion. Dr. Levi explains how conditions like mouth breathing, snoring, and bedwetting can be linked to SDB in children and the importance of early detection and treatment. Discover how Dr. Levi's clinic addresses various pediatric issues, including ADD/ADHD, teeth grinding, and behavioral challenges, by focusing on enhancing airway health and sleep patterns. As a former sufferer of sleep apnea, Dr. Levi shares his unique perspective on the challenges and solutions related to sleep disorders, underscoring his commitment to personalized patient care.Whether you're a parent concerned about your child's sleep, a healthcare professional seeking insights into pediatric sleep medicine, or simply interested in innovative health solutions, this episode offers valuable information and hope.

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Numbers 21: 4-9; Rs psalm 102: 2-3.16-18.19-20; John 8: 21-30THE TREE OF GLORY Our meditation today has the theme: The Tree of Glory.The wooden pillar of the cross or also called the crucifix, before becoming thecross of Jesus was a sign of great humiliation. The human person condemned onthe cross was a criminal of the lowest dignity. But when it began with JesusChrist being severely punished with the goal of His death on the cross, themeaning of the cross changes. For followers of Christ, the cross is a sign ofglory. Nevertheless, those who do not believe in Christ still regard the crossas a very shameful insult or merely a symbol of ignorance and emptiness.  The cross as a tree of glory for Jesus Christ sifnifiesthe salvation. In the days when Moses and the Israelites wandered in thewilderness, the cross was not yet known to them. The cross only became popularwhen the Roman colonizers used it as a means of punishing big criminals. But asa tree planted in the ground to signify salvation, it was already known toMoses and the chosen people. According to the book of Numbers chapter 21, the copperserpent placed on a stake became the object of sight of those who were bittenby wild snakes, and they were healed. They did not die or perish because ofsnakes, but survived and recovered. Since the cross was placed on the shoulders of Jesusin the story of His passion and especially when He hung on it until His death,the meaning of salvation displayed by the cross was perfected in glory.Salvation is a freedom from the bonds that afflict and bring suffering. Fromsalvation, a person is lifted to a high place where Jesus Christ with theFather and the Holy Spirit dwell. On the cross hung the body of Jesus that diedbut His Spirit rose gloriously, as He Himself said in the Gospel: "When youhave lifted up to the Son of Man, then shall you know that I am he."  We are heading to the memorial of Jesus Christ'spassion from the garden of Gethsemane to the hill of Golgotha. It reminds us ofthe experience of suffering for each of us or others around us. Jesus sufferedso much with the evidence that He was hung on the cross, which reminds us ofthe great and severe suffering we have experienced. Our spirits and souls mustnot be tormented by the bodies that are burdened by the weight of the cross ofsuffering. Our bodies will eventually die and be destroyed, but our spirit andsoul will survive to pass through salvation and reach glory of heaven. FollowingJesus Christ means that we must go through the sufferings of our bodies, for wehave been promised the best result that will follow, which is salvation andglory in heaven. Let us pray. In the name of the Father and of the Sonand of the Holy Spirit... O glorious Jesus, may we always rejoice and praisewith the cross that each of us bears. Hail Mary, full of grace... In the nameof the Father ...

Bài giảng của Lm Phêrô Trần Anh Tú, SDB trong thánh lễ Chúa nhật V Mùa Chay năm C, cử hành lúc 17:30 ngày 6-4-2025 tại Nhà nguyện Trung tâm Mục vụ TGP Sài Gòn.

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Daniel 13: 1-9.15-17.19-30.33-62; Rs psalm 23: 1-3a.3b-4.5.6; John 8: 1-11WHEN STONE AND WOOD RESIST The theme for our meditation today is: When Stone andWood Resist. Jude is a naughty and wayward but smart teenager. Both parentshave been summoned by the principal and class teacher for many time regardingtheir child's behaviours. At home, Jude has been given various kinds ofpunishments, from ordinary reprimands to slaps and other physical punishments.Among all these punishments, the one Jude avoided the most was his father's beatingwith a piece of wood or throwing an object that at that time fit in his hand. Here, Jude's ingenuity serves to save himself from hisfather's punishment. He hid the wood and objects that his father always used tohit him. Jude did that, especially when he wanted to deliberately do somethingnaughty, he first hid the objects. As a result, by the time his father wasdesperate to punish him, the piece of wood was no longer in its place. Stonesand other items that were easy to find were no longer found. The father thenrelented. He felt like he was no longer strong.  He had to think again, that in the end "stone andwood or object refused" to be used in punishing his son. He must findanother way, which is certainly more effective in the science of education,when corrections and improvements are to be made. This is very much a generalallusion to the repressive or violent approach in the way we solve problems inlife. The science of education, and especially that taught by Saint John Bosco,in overcoming the problems of discipline, delinquency, chaos, is preventive. Today we meet Jesus Christ in the midst of a crowd ofpeople who were always at odds with each other, namely the Pharisees and thescribes. They were faced with a problem, namely a woman who was caughtcommitting adultery, and this was considered a very serious sin. The repressiveattitude of Jewish law demanded that this sinner be punished so strongly bystoning her to death. Jesus came with an approach to love, which is awarenessin terms of opening consciousness and self-recognition. The approach of Jesus contains the activation ofrationality, awareness, reflection, opening the eyes and heart as the firststage. Then once our awareness and self-knowledge have been formed, especiallyknowing that we are sinners and in need of renewal, God is pleased to grantforgiveness. That process is experienced by the sinful woman described in theGospel earlier. The power of love brought by the Lord Jesus is able toeliminate the use of "stones, wood or other objects" as instrumentsto create goodness, justice, and peace. We must follow that power of love.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Jesus, may asthe holy week draws closer, we will be stronger in its preparation, that is, torenew ourselves by forgiving our neighbors who have sinned against us. HailMary full of grace... In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Jeremiah 11: 18-20; Rs psalm 7: 2-3.9bc-10.11-12; John 7: 40-53RISKS EXPRESSED Our meditation today has the theme: Risks Expressed.The newlywed couple was watching a video of the life-and-death struggle ofmembers of the military forces on the battlefield. The husband, who is amilitary man, and his wife understand very well that the risk must be faced,considering in a couple of days the husband would leave for the battlefield.The risk was shown so that he and his wife were spiritually prepared to bearthe reality behind the risk. As a result, each of them was strong and sincereto support each other, and the wife allowed her husband to leave to fulfillstate duties. The prophet Jeremiah had a special calling from God,as did Jesus Christ; they carried out the mission entrusted by God. Along withthis, the Father in heaven also told them that for the fulfillment of theentrusted mission, they would pass through obstacles, threats of violence, andpersecution. In this aspect, our two figures are shown in the scriptures likeslaughtered sheep that are brought to the slaughterhouse and sacrificed. Godtold them so clearly, that both Jeremiah and Jesus Christ were mentally andspiritually prepared to face it. The result of this notification from God clearlybenefits the persecuted party, because God guarantees His participation and allthe arrangements according to His will. But on the part of the persecutors,there is chaos because of anger, hatred, and evil within them that areconditioned by interests that divide them. The Pharisees and scribes were notin agreement about their evil plans. This simply represents the fact that everyform of evil plan and action will never be colored by a state of comfort or tranquility,but instead a chaotic atmosphere of mind and soul. God is always telling us what will happen in relationto our choices, commitments, faith, and vocations, work or ministry. He tellsus in various ways and through various intermediaries. It is He who chooses andcalls us, then entrusts to each of us or together, the type of responsibilityand work. It also means that He is the one who puts in our consciousness andbelief not only the goals we achieve, but even more so the risks that we willface.  There can be no risks or side effects from any of ourwork or services. But because we are already enlightened by faith about this,we are made to move forward with confidence that God will accompany and guideus. The hope is that our thoughts, words, and actions are always in the lightof God. This is our spiritual preparation.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O God of all wisdom,illuminate our steps in life at all times. Hail Mary full of grace... In thename of the Father...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Wisdom 2: 1a.12-22; Rs psalm 34: 17-18.19-20.21-23; John 7: 1-2.10.25-30THE TIME HAS NOT YET COME The theme for our meditation today is: The Time HasNot Yet Come. Soon, about a week from now, we will be celebrating Holy Week.The passion and death of Jesus Christ was the culminating experience of Hissuffering. We will meet in anticipation of this great celebration in the daysleading up to it, including today. The type of anticipation shown in variousdifficulties to be the resistance Jesus had to face. The threat to Him wasreal, immediate, and definite. He was on the verge of persecution. Long before the real experience of Jesus Christ, thebook of Wisdom had described this persecution. It says in this way: Let us testhim with persecution and torment, that we may know his tenderness and patience.We should sentence him to death, for according to him he will surely get help (Wis2:19-20). The Gospel of John that we have just heard rejoins the image of the vergeof persecution, and saying in this way: the Pharisees tried to arrest Jesus,but no one touched him, because his hour had not yet come (Jn 7:30). His time that has not yet come depends entirely onGod's providence. Thursday night and Good Friday have not yet arrived. Allparties from our part are obliged to comply with the provision of this not yetcome condition. All must respect to what important aspects are on the verge ofpersecution of Jesus Christ. Although the waves of anger, envy, hatred, andviolence seem unstoppable, they were obliged to restrain themselves. Eventhough the wave was very strong, God had not allowed the time to come.  How do we interpret "The time for God has not yetcome?" We first interpret it by acknowledging and accepting it. We acceptthis reality and believe it as a form of fulfillment of the Father's will onJesus' part, and as the content of our faith. In the prayer "IBelieve" we express our faith by saying: He who suffered under the powerof Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. Agreeing to this alsomeans that we accept the Lord's teachings and invitation to follow Him in everyverge of persecution we face in our lives.  We also interpret this in a view that we have no fearto maintain the truth and goodness as a sign of our belongingness to God.Usually the temptation for those who are on the verge of suffering andpersecution is to be afraid or surrender and submit to the persecutor. If thepersecutor wants to quickly execute, we must not give in to that will.Authentic followers of Christ do not surrender in such manner. On the verge ofpersecution and death we dare to cry out: this submmission of self is for thesake of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray. In the name of the Father... Father in heaven,strengthen us always, especially when we are in the midst of suffering andpersecution, so that we may remain on your side. Our Father who art inheaven... In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Exodus 32: 7-14; Rs psalm 106: 19-20.21-22.23; John 5: 31-47WORK EXPLAINS WHO WE ARE Our meditation today has the theme: Work Explains WhoWe Are. Jesus Christ again gave a firm response to the protest and accusationof His opponents, the Pharisees and scribes. Fierce opposition to Jesus seemsto be increasing. This is an anticipation of the peak experience of sufferingduring the false trial and his death penalty on the cross on Good Fridaycelebration.  Today's Gospel presents the opponents' denial that Jesusreally came from God. They vehemently refused to acknowledge and accept thatJesus was sent by the Father in heaven. So He affirms that the proof of God'spower is in Him, in the form of the works He does. Healing the sick, raisingthe dead, feeding the hungry and thirsty, expelling of evil spirits, andconsolation for the broken-hearted. All of these are facts of God's work thatcannot be denied.  Jesus asked them not to narrow their view andunderstanding. If they rejected Him, they must at least be objective inacknowledging His works. All of these works bore witness of Himself and of theFather who has all power to lead and look after all things. If at least they couldaccept and acknowledge the work or the results of work, it was implicit thatthey accepted and acknowledged who was behind the work and its fruits. It turnedout that neither Jesus nor His works were accepted and acknowledged, so theirsin was indeed great. This analogy may help us to reflect on the theme ofone's self-witnessing work. For example, the lifestyle of some people showsthat they really dislike simple and hardworking people such as farmers,fishermen, or shephers. In fact, every day the haters and their families eatrice, vegetables, fish, and meat which are actually the fruits of the work ofthose they hate. So this means a denial of themselves and of others who helptheir daily needs. Any work and the results really represent who wereally are. Our self-reflection whether we are generous or not, humble or not, faithfulor not, manifested so real through our work and the results of our work. Our worksand their results speak for themselves. Everyone presents all of these thingsfor the people around them to experience and enjoy, but the basic condition isthat we accept and acknowledge each other through our work and the fruits.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... Most MercifulFather, thank you for Your blessing so that we can work according to ourrespective callings and the results for our lives together. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Isaiah 49: 8-15; Rs psalm 145: 8-9.13cd-14.17-18; John 5: 17-30BEING WITH THE FATHER The theme for our meditation today is: Being With theFather. Saint Teresa of Calcutta when she was still alive, carried a dyingadult on the way to her convent. She tended to all the man's wounds, fed himnutritious food, and covered his thin body with proper clothing. The man raisedhis face and asked: "Why is Sister so kind to me"? Mother Teresareplied simply, "Because I am only carrying out orders from my Boss."The man wanted to know: "Who is the Boss of Sister?" Mother replied:"My Boss is Jesus Christ. I live with him all the time." Jesus defended himself against the accusation of hisenemies that he was blaspheming God for making himself the same with God. Heemphatically said: God is His own Father. In the language of Saint Teresa, Godis her Boss.  The Lord God puts His poweron us, and we also rely on His power, so both Jesus and we deserve to invokethis phrase: I am with the Father, or we are with the Father. The reality of living and being with the Father inheaven can be expressed through an affirmation, that is, a way to defendoneself or affirm one's identity. Through that way then we will feel strong.Suppose you are experiencing a state of strong isolation, and in solitude thereis a feeling of being disturbed by evil forces or a feeling of fear thatthreatens the peace in your heart. The affirmation that you live with theFather and rely on His strength is paramount, so that you may be freed fromthat isolated and strange experience. Living and being with the Father can also be expressedas Mother Teresa did. We use the power and participation of the Father in doinggood and serving others. This is the same as that proclaimed by the prophetIsaiah, who says this in the first reading of today: I have formed and givenyou a covenant for mankind to rebuild the earth. We work, serve, do good, buildup this world, with our primary guideline, which is because we are in and withthe Almighty Father. With that gift the kingdom of God is present in theworld. Today we as a Church bear the important responsibility of renewing theface of the earth from time to time with the help of the Holy Spirit. To facethe problems of this world, the good advice would be this: we use our strengthto be with our own Father. What to keep in mind is we should always avoid the actof distancing oneself from the unity with the Lord, or the tendency to rely onlyon human strength. Because God Himself says that being outside of Him and notrelying on His power, we will be nothing. We are in danger of being nothing anddoing nothing.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus Christ,strengthen always our communion with the holy Triune God in order to renewourselves and life on this earth. Hail Mary full of grace... In the nameof the Father ...

This podcast highlights that sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children, once underestimated, is a significant health issue with potential long-term cardiac, metabolic, and neurocognitive consequences. This was generated using Notebook LM.

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Ezekiel 47: 1-9.12; Rs psalm 46: 2-3.5-6.8-9; John 5: 1-3a.5-16WATER OF SALVATION Our meditation today has the theme: Water ofSalvation. There are so many benefits of water for us humans and the world. Ofall its benefits, the term "water of salvation" is an abstractexpression. The term "holy water", or "clean water", or"mineral water" is a concrete expression that we immediatelyunderstand. For example, "baptismal water", the form of water is asign used to signify Jesus using water to baptize. So the term "water of salvation" remains inthe form of physical water that is a sign for God to perform acts of salvationfor the people the Lord helps. The scriptures present many events of salvationor deliverance through water, such as the crossing of the Red Sea by theIsraelites when they were made free from Egyptian slavery. Both readings todayalso describe water as a means of salvation. The prophet Isaiah tells of a vision of water flowingin the temple. Wherever it flows, everything that is affected by its flow andthe area of its touch comes to life. This implies that when there is no or hasnot been touched by water, the life that is there suffers hardship or evendeath. In the pool of Bethesda, the water was instrumental in the healing ofthe sick. They rushed closer and were touched by the water when it began toshake, they would be healed. From these two descriptions of events we see thatwater as an instrument is a real physical sign. God's power to heal and saveseems hidden.  But at the pool of Bethesda, the hidden mystery revealsitself. The sick man who had been suffering for thirty-eight years was directlytouched by the God who was actually present and working behind the water. Ithealed instantly. The water of salvation displayed by both readings todayteaches us how important aspects of the physical sign of water and its meaningto us. For our contunual journey in this world, the physical form of water isobviously very important. Without water, we will die like a barren and dryland. The meaning behind this physical reality is that the orderly balance ofnature has been provided by God for the good and salvation of mankind.  Water in the sacrament of baptism and as a sacramentalelement in the Church's practices of faith is seen physically as clean andhealthy water devoted to spiritual ministry in the Church. The meaning behindthis water chosen is that God Himself works through His servants to save, heal,and sanctify His people. The holy water that we use to make the sign of thecross or to bless ourselves and our things, is a sacred means to signify themoment of salvation that we experience. We must use the holy water in the rightdisposition of faith.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, may wealways call upon Your name and use Your power correctly. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Isaiah 65: 17-21; Rs psalm 30: 2.4.5-6.11-12a.13b; John 4: 43-54THE ANSWER Our meditation today has the theme: The Answer. Theresults or achievements we obtain are the answer to the work and processes wedo. For example, agreement is the answer to a discussion to agree to thedifferences in perception. Concept is the answer to the agreement of variousarguments. System is the result of integrating different elements. Method isproduced from experiments and analysis of various variables. There was a 5th grade elementary school boywho wanted to prove to his parents and family that the First Communion he hadreceived about a month ago was an opportunity for him to serve the Church as analtar boy. He said that First Communion was the answer to his longing since hewas a kindergarten boy, how eager he was to receive Jesus Christ. Serving inthe Church as an altar boy was an answer to his longing to be near the Priestand see how the Priest celebrated the Eucharist. After receiving First Communion,he did not delay any longer to register as an altar boy. The baptism we receive opens the door for every personto find definitive answers about his or her journey of faith. One sure answeris to participate in Jesus Christ and in His Church. From this is formed aChristian identity that grows in the process of realizing the calling of everyfollower of Christ. Sons and daughters of God are called to professions such asteachers, civil servants, technicians, businessmen, farmers, or politicians.Sons and daughters of God are also called to the ministry of God's people aspriests, religious men and women, and married couples. The most basic obligation to be a follower of Christis to be a sign of Christ's presence, light and truth in the world. The termthat is often used is to be a living witness of Christ through Christian wordsand deeds that is to be the salt and light to this world. The dignity of thesons and daughters of God with the callings inherent in every person will beeffective if he or she carries out duties responsibly. So faith is the basis for the establishment andfunctioning of a Christian life that lives the love of Christ and hopes for anew heaven and earth, which is the kingdom of heaven, as the prophet Isaiah saysin today's first reading. The palace official got an answer in faith, after themiracle that took place in his family. Faith leads the whole family to God.They ordained themselves to have a participation in Jesus Christ, who have therights and obligations of being followers of Christ. The same thing happens tous, faith is our basic answer to God.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Jesus Christ,thank you for the grace of Your call to us and may we always renew our faith inYou. Hail Mary... In the name of the Father...

Delivered by the Vocationist Sisters in Labuan Bajo and Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Joshua 5: 9a.10-12; Rs psalm 34: 2-3.4-5.6-7; 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21; Luke 15: 1-3.11-32RETURN The theme for our meditation on the 4thSunday of Lent is: Return. We reflect on our "return" here to remindus that the solemnity of Easter is approaching. We are increasingly feeling theexcitement and warmth of the Great Celebration for all of us. So our"return" is not for a setback, a failure, and to a sinful life in thepast. For one reason or another, we as humans have fallenand became far from God. In spiritual understanding, sin, alienation and errorhave made us distant. So the call to return to the right, the way of God, andthe shade of His love becomes very important in our faith. This time is ourchance to be called back. God is the main caller for us to return from our sinand alienation in our lives. He had great compassion for Adam and Eve, David,Peter, Saul, Mary Magdalene and every one of us who are tormented withsuffering by the sins that befall us. He awaits us in the church, through thesacraments and the word proclaimed, in devotions, and through the service oflove, so that we may return to Him. Listening to His call leads us to beaccepted, forgiven, and recognized again as His beloved children.  The people who are in charge of us, also call us. Theyare our parents, guides, educators, leaders, or our fellow brothers and sisters.Joshua was the leader and brother who called his neighbors to come to God'sfulfilled promises. Parents call us to return to serve and accompany them andthe homeland our basic and original treasure. Church and state leaders arecalling for us to rejoin in constructive and transformative church andstate-building activities. And many other calls, wanting us to return to a decentand correct life. The next turn to call is ourselves. The call of ourown conscience is very important. When we realize that we have already beenimmersed in things that are not important, superficial, or mere pleasures, weshould listen to the call of our conscience. He must have said the opposite,which is to call us to the beauty, the goodness and the truth.  The three sources of subject that call us: God, thosewho are responsible for us, and our own conscience are great forces that pullus, so that we cannot avoid it, but obey to return at the right time and place.Today is the right time for us to return.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O heavenly Father,may this Sunday worship strengthen us to return to You with joy. We want to beYour sons and daughters as we always are. Hail Mary... In the name of theFather ...

Dibawakan oleh Rini, Hendry, Tirto dan Pater Peter, SDB dari Komunitas Pukat Labuan Bajo di Keuskupan Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Yosua 5: 9a.10-12; Mazmur tg 34: 2-3.4-5.6-7; 2 Korintus 5: 17-21; Lukas 15: 1-3.11-32KEMBALI Tema renungan kita pada hari minggu ke-4 Pra-Paskah iniialah: Kembali. Kita merenungkan “kembali”nya kita di sini untuk mengingatkankita bahwa hari raya Paskah semakin mendekat. Kita semakin merasakan kemeriahandan kehangatan Pesta Raya kita semua. Jadi “kembali”nya kita bukan untuk suatukemunduran, kegagalan, dan kepada masa lalu dalam kedosaan. Karena satu dan lain faktor, kita sebagai manusiaterlanjur jatuh dan menjadi jauh dari Tuhan. Dalam pemahaman rohani, dosa,keterasingan dan kesesatan telah membuat kita menjadi jauh. Maka panggilanuntuk kembali kepada yang benar, jalan Tuhan, dan naungan kasih-Nya menjadi halyang sangat penting di dalam iman kita. Masa ini adalah kesempatan kitadipanggil untuk kembali. Tuhan adalah pemanggil utama supaya kita kembali dari dosadan keterasingan hidup kita. Ia tidak tega dengan Adam dan Hawa, Daud, Petrus,Saulus, Maria Magdalena dan setiap dari kita yang terbelenggu dengan deritakarena dosa-dosa yang mendera. Ia menantikan kita di gereja, melalui sakramendan firman yang diwartakan, di dalam dovosi-devosi, dan melalui pelayanankasih, supaya kita kembali kepada-Nya. Mendengarkan panggilan-Nya itu, berartimembawa kita untuk diterima, diampuni, dan diakui kembali sebagai putra-putri-Nyaterkasih. Orang-orang yang bertanggung jawab atas kita, jugamemanggil kita. Mereka adalah orang tua, pembina, pendidik, pemimpin, atausaudara kita. Yosua adalah pemimpin dan saudara yang memanggil sesamanya untukdatang kepada janji Tuhan yang terpenuhi. Orang tua memanggil kita untukkembali mengabdi dan melayani mereka dan tanah air, tumpah darah kita. Parapemimpin Gereja dan negara memanggil supaya kita kembali ambil bagian dalam kegiatanmenggereja dan bernegara yang konstruktif dan transformatif. Dan berbagaipanggilan lain yang banyak, ingin supaya kita kembali kepada hidup yang layakdan benar. Giliran berikutnya yang ikut memanggil ialah diri kitasendiri. Panggilan nurani kita sendiri sangatlah penting. Ketika menyadaribahwa diri kita sudah terlanjur ke dalam hal-hal yang tidak penting,superfisial, atau kenikmatan semata, sebaiknya kita mendengarkan panggilannurani kita. Ia pasti mengatakan hal yang sebaliknya, yaitu memanggil kitakepada yang indah, baik dan benar.  Ketiga sumber kekuatan yang memanggil kita: Tuhan,orang-orang yang bertanggung jawab kepada kita, dan nurani kita sendiri adalahkekuatan besar yang menarik kita, sehingga kita tidak bisa mengelak, selainmenuruti untuk kembali pada saat dan di waktu yang sesungguhnya. Hari iniadalah saat yang tepat bagi kita untuk kembali. Marilah kita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa ... Ya Bapa, semogadengan ibadat hari Minggu ini, kami dikuatkan untuk kembali kepada-Mu dengangembira. Kami ingin menjadi putra dan putri-Mu seperti sedia kala. SalamMaria... Dalam nama Bapa ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Hosea 6: 1-6; Rs psalm 51: 3-4.18-19.20-21ab; Luke 18: 9-14SINCERE SINNERS Our meditation today has the theme: Sincere Sinners. Thereis only one of all God's created human beings is sinless. She is the blessedMother, Mary, conceived by her mother free of sins. That is why she is calledMary Immaculate. Apart from her, we are all sinners, either great or small,many or few, visible or invisible. There have been two persons who have been friendssince childhood. Their friendship is still maintained until now when each has hisown family. One day the two friends were engaged in a conversation involvingpersonal matters. Mario, one of the two said that he corrupted money from hisoffice. He shared everything such as the amount of money, how many times hecorrupted, where the money was kept, what use of those money. He believed hisbest friend Mateo must keep all those information in secret.  His best friend Mateo enjoyed the story. Sometimes heasked for clarification on the things that were not clear. He nodded to showhis support. He understood everything that was being told. For Mario, beingopen to his best friend, he already felt lighter about the burden he carried.There was a feeling of relief and an open path in front of him for thepossibility in the future of changing from corruption. On Mateo's part, heshowed no signs of speaking about himself. Even though it has become a commonsuspicion that he was in an unlawful relationship with a woman. Mateo seemed tobe tormented and suffering in solitude with the sin that was tourturing him. Hedid not dare to open up to his best friend.  This story at least gives us some enlightenment thatthere are two types of sinners. Those who are called sincere sinners are those peoplewho are open about the sins they have committed. They do this in the confessionalroom, with a life partner, a friend, or with a trusted person. The motivationis that with that sincerity, he can be free from the shackles and torment ofthe gravity of sin. The most important goal is for him to get help in the formof understanding, moral support and forgiveness. On the other hand, those of the veiled or closed sinnersare those who cover up the mistakes or sins that have been committed. There aremany reasons for this introverted attitude: for example, shame, fear, orarrogance. The Pharisee in the Gospel story above is at least haunted by thesethree reasons. God was really displeased with the Pharisees. We should, andespecially in this period of Lent, realize ourselves as sincere sinners. Godalready knows everything, and in this age of communication, whatever form ofsin will be revealed in due course. So let us get rid of our closed attitudeover our sins.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O heavenly Father,increase our courage and openness, so that we may sincerely admit our sins inorder to obtain Your forgiveness. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to theHoly Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Hosea 14: 2-10; Rs psalm 81: 6c-8a.8bc-9.10-11ab.14.17; Markus 12: 28b-34COMPASSION IS GREATER THAN ALL SACRIFICES ANDOFFERINGS The theme for our meditation today is: Compassion IsGreater than All Sacrifices and Offerings. This statement invites us to ponderdeeply the fundamental truths of our faith and our relationship with God. Thisteaching reminds us that religious rituals, prayers, and sacrifices are ouressential devotions, but they will be empty if they are not accompanied by truecompassion and love for others. In today's Gospel of Mark, the Lord Jesus teachesabout sincere love for God and neighbors. A scribe who accepted this teachingmade it clearer by saying: "To love God with all your heart, with all yourunderstanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbors asyourself is far more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."  Compassion or mercy is love in action. This ismanifested first of all through God's care for mankind. When we do charity, weimitate Christ, who always served the little, the forgotten, the sinners, andthe brokenhearted. A compassionate heart such as feeding the hungry, comfortingthe sad, forgiving those who have sinned against us, describes a heart that istruly in accordance with God's will. Why is mercy or compassion greater in quality thansacrifices and offerings? In the Old Testament, sacrifices were made to helpbelievers express repentance and devotion to the divine. Likewise, the varioustypes of offerings that were made to explain how believers devoted and worshiped. However, it turns out that all the sacrifices andofferings then become mere routine when they do not correlate with a heart thattruly longs for justice, peace, and love. Compassion, on the other hand, is anactive and transformative response that shows God's presence in the world. Whenwe are compassionate or loving we build relationships, heal wounds, andstrengthen fellowship. Some practical suggestions for practicing compassionsuch as forgiving others, helping those in need, speaking gently, patiently,and understandingly. Pope Francis affirmed that the Church of compassion is theChurch that becomes a "field hospital", that is, a place to heal allwounds and sufferings, before help in other forms comes later. In this seasonof Lent, acts of love will be very important as a path to our repentance.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, forgive ussinners  for not strong enough to docharity consistently. Glory to the Father ... In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Jeremiah 7: 23-28; Rs psalm 95: 1-2.6-7.8-9; Luke 11: 14-23HARDNESS OF HEART AND INSINCERITY The theme for our meditation today is: Hardness ofHeart and Insincerity. There was a five-year-old child crying and throwingstones at his house from about 20 meters away. He was angry with his mother.The reason was that his body was full of mud and was going to be bathed by Mamma,but he didn't want to and ran away. In that anger and crying, the boy was saying: "Mamma'sheart is hard as a stone." He repeated those words while throwing stonesat the house with stones taken around where he was. His mother occasionallycame out to pick him up, but the boy ran away more and more and kept crying. This illustration touches on at least two things,namely hardness of heart and insincerity. The boy called his mother a personwith hardness of heart, at least that is what in the mind of a five-year-oldchild. According to him, bathing to cleanse his body is not a right and not a gooddeed, so he opposed it. The act of offending and hostile to what is right andgood is the act of insincerity. The little boy did not understand what hardness ofheart and insincerity really were. But what he had done to his mother can be avaluable material for us to ponder. Children often say and do things to disturbadults about their attitudes and behaviors. A grown-up and mature person knows that when a man'sheart becomes hard, he loses the ability to feel compassion, to forgive, and toconfess a truth. Hardness of heart and insincerity are closely related becausethese two negative traits have the same intention, namely rejecting the truth,humility and the call to repentance. These two negative qualities are alluded to in our tworeadings today. God revealed the truth to Moses that the Israelites had becomehardness of heart and insincere, so that they no longer obeyed His commands andwill. The Pharisees, scribes, and Jewish elders were not willing to acknowledgethe miracle of the casting out of an evil spirit in a mute person. Instead,they accused Jesus of being a demonic leader who cast out fellow demons. As an act of repentance in this period of penance, weare all called to get rid of our hardness of heart and insincerity. We need toreplace it with humility, sincerity in word and deed, and acts of compassionfor others. Do it right now, and don't delay.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, pour outwithin us a tender and sincere heart. Our Father who art in heaven... In thename of the Father ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Deuteronomy 4: 1.5-9; Rs psalm 147: 12-13.15-16.19-20; Matius 5: 17-19OBEDIENCE The theme for our meditation today is Obedience. In anelementary school lesson, Vincent, a 5th grade student, asked his teacheras he said "Why do we need obedience in our lives?" The teacher whohas been an educator for decades replied in this way, "We need to obey therules that are existing because our lives need to be regulated and directed tobe better and we will achieve our goals." The teacher continued, that an obedient person is the onewho is under a higher authority or leader. A president must also be obedient,as he is under the power of Constitution and laws. At this point, Vincent, whowas not satisfied with the explanation, wanted to ask again. Then he said,"Who is really not in need of obedience?" The teacher replied: "The one who does not needobedience is someone already perfect. And we all know that the perfect one isGod Himself. It is God who sets all the laws and regulations, and then Hecommands His people to follow all those rules. All people of all nations andtribes of the world use the laws and regulations that God has established sincethe creation of the first human beings." Vincent and his classmates were delighted with the teacher'sfine explanation. They all understood. They realized that by being obedientduring school period, they would get good learning results and can finallycomplete well their education in elementary school. The conversation betweenthe teacher and the student at the primary school reminds us of two scripturereadings today. These two readings warn us in this Lenten season to always obeyGod's commandments and decrees for our salvation. There are two points of view that explain ourobedience. From the point of view of commandments or warnings, we are commandedto obey. God is powerful and demanding, that His people obey and follow Hiscommands. This is very emphasized in this period of penance. We are obliged tofollow and live by it, especially when we are commanded not to break the rulesand we are obliged to teach them to young people and children. From the point of view of awareness and maturity asbelievers, we choose and commit ourselves to obey to the existing rules. We donot need to be commanded and reminded repeatedly to obey and be faithful. Werealize that obedience and faithfulness to God is a true way of life forbelievers. This is being so emphasized as the discipline to be done during thisperiod of penance. Let each of us interpret which position each one belongs to.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Almighty God, weask that the spirit of our obedience to You will bear good fruit and steadilyin our daily lives. Hail Mary full of grace... In the name of the Father...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Isaiah 7: 10-14; 8: 10; Rs psalm 40: 7-8a.8b-9.10.11; Hebrews 10: 4-10; Luke 1: 26-38TODAY'S GOOD NEWS The theme for our meditation today, the Solemnity ofthe Annunciation of the Lord is: Today's Good News. In the current trendysocial media-based short videos, we are always given the answer to thequestion: "What are today's words?" The person being questionedalways gives answers in the form of nice words to hear, expressions offriendship, motivational statements, and inspiring exclamations.  For example, when you watch and hear a motivationalstatement in this manner, "Stedfast in your faith, never give up, becausea day's hardship is enough for a day," and at that very moment you aredepressed and disappointed by a certain problem, you will be comforted andcalm. You will restart your day by being excited and joyful again.  In our time, audio-visual and digital-based socialmedia is running hand in hand with the creativity of the human generation ofmedia users who are increasingly expanding and advanced. The preaching anddissemination of the good news can be done by as many people as possible withtheir own abilities and creativity. In this connection, the event of the Annuncitationof the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of Nazareth who was appointed as theMother of God and Jesus the Savior of the world born through the womb of Mary,should be the main motivation for us to always share the good news, the joyful words,and the wonderful story of salvation among us. Basically, God Himself is the giver and sharer of thejoyful news of the mysteries of His glory to us. This Solemnity of theAnnunciation is one of the God's revelations of His glory. It is this act ofGod that we must continue in our daily lives, when we are the ones who conceivethe good news and bring them to the world or our own presence that becomes goodnews for the people around us. The question would this: what is the content ofgood news can we share? For us the people belong to Jesus Christ who are sentas His witnesses in the world, the content of today's good news that we bringis of course the Lord Jesus Himself. Words, expressions, and statements thatcontain goodness to comfort and strengthen must be acknowledged as inspirationfrom God, and not from Satan or any particular evil spirit. Ghosts do not haveauthority to spread the good news of God. We, as individuals and as a community, should bringthe name of Jesus, His actions and teachings as the glad tidings that weproclaim to others. As the scriptures say, we are indeed salt and light for theworld today. God is the glad tidings, we are the bearers.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Almighty God,enable us to be true bearers of joyful news in today's world. Our Father who artin heaven... In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. 2 Kings 5: 1-15a; Rs psalm 42: 2.3; 43: 3.4; Luke 4: 24-30MISSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SALVATION The theme for our meditation today is: MissingOpportunities for Salvation. The opportunity for salvation through acts ofpenance and repentance is always present in our lives. Our basic conviction isthat God chooses to live with us. His presence and involvement in our lives isthe precious opportunity for us to gain salvation. The problem is that we humans are not aware of thepresence of God. We in our daily circumstances and busyness do not takeadvantage of this opportunity. There are two examples of missing opportunitiesfor salvation. The first is as told in the first reading, which is the secondbook of Kings. The Israelites ignored God's commands and will through theprophet Elisha in order to obtain salvation. It was Naaman, a stranger and anunbeliever, who got the opportunity and he was healed. The second example is what proclaimed by the Gospel ofLuke, where the prophet Elijah brought salvation to a widow and her family inZarephath, not to the widows of Israel and all the believers in the land Israel.That opportunity existed when God spoke and acted through His prophet, Elijah,but his countrymen paid no attention and even turned against him. That is whatJesus reaffirmed that a prophet is not accepted in his place of origin orrejected and hated by his countrymen.  We as individuals and together in various situationshave experienced the loss of opportunities for salvation. For example, duringthis Lent, there are people who said that the practice of fasting andabstinence has been abandoned. They no longer obeyed the commitment to fast andabstinence that they had set since Ash Wednesday. In fact, the practice offasting and abstinence is an opportunity to experience renewal of both body andsoul. But that opportunity is gone. They regretted it and was no longer useful. The Church provides all kinds of means and ways for usto use in order to gain salvation. If her people have already lost one or moreopportunities for it, the Church remains faithful to provide. The Churchremains a mother who facilitates. Every year when Lent arrives, thoseopportunities are wide open. It is hoped that all the people of God can use itseriously. One thing to remember very strongly is that everymember of the Church is not stubborn, not hardening the heart, and not arrogantwhen it comes to underestimating every opportunity. He should consider it aspecial moment that should not be missed out or allowed to pass away without anytrace left.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus,strengthen our faith so that we can make the most of the moments of Yourpresence in our midst. Hail Mary full of grace... In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by the Vocationist Sisters in Labuan Bajo and Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Exodus 3: 1-8a.13-15; Rs psalm 103: 1-2.3-4.6-7.8.11; 1 Corinthians 10: 1-6.10-12; Luke 13: 1-9TIME TO RETURN TO GOD The theme for our meditation on this 3rdSunday of Lent is: A Time to Return to God. Time is one of the signs that warnsus about the opportunity to meet God. Sunday, for example, is a special timefor the faithful to gather and worship God. Lent is an opportunity every yearfor all of God's people to intensively and fully establish a relationship withGod through the acts of penance. Our time to encounter God can happen at any time andis very personal. God dwells in each of us and each person just needs toactivate awareness, calmness in heart, focus of mind and intimacy inrelationship to be able to experience moments with Him. We don't need to director lead God to come and meet at a certain place and at a particular time. It isprecisely we who provide time and room to meet Him and experience specialmoments with Him. Is meeting God an opportunity to return to Him? Isthis an opportunity for a person to repent from sins and evil acts? All of us aresinners when we meet God, whether on occasion with other believers orpersonally. But not everyone takes that opportunity as a time to return to God.There are still many of us who have not repented and truly experienced a newlife when they encounter God in prayer and worship. For example, a person was attending Sunday worship atchurch. He did not concentrate on every part of worship from opening toclosing. His mind was in chaos or running around. He did meet God while in thechurch, but he did not experience God's presence through the Word that entered andtouched his heart and consciousness. He was very burdened by the problems thatoccurred in his personal and family life. He did not receive Communion in thecelebration of the Eucharist on that Sunday. Any of us may not have repented and returned to theright path when we met the Lord. He is like a fig tree that does not bearfruit, which is ordered to be cut down. He was like the Israelites who werewarned by Moses to remember the Lord and return to Him. He is like theChristians who were warned by Saint Paul not to fall into sin like the ancientIsraelites when they were always against God's will. So, the time for us to return to God is at the time ofGod's warning or command to us to repent. If at this moment the warning isgiven and reaches our ears and hearts, that is the opportunity to repent.Delaying or rejecting it, then the moment or opportunity to change will be lost.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Almighty God,strengthen our faith in every warning and call to return to the way, the truth,and the life, which is Your Son Jesus Christ and our Lord. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit... In the name of the Father...

Dibawakan oleh Hendry dan Pater Peter, SDB dari Komunitas Pukat Labuan Bajo di Keuskupan Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Keluaran 3: 1-8a.13-15; Mazmur tg 103: 1-2.3-4.6-7.8.11; 1 Korintus 10: 1-6.10-12; Lukas 13: 1-9SAAT UNTUK BERBALIK KEPADA TUHAN Tema renungan kita pada hari Minggu ke-3 PraPaskah iniialah: Saat Untuk Berbalik Kepada Tuhan. Waktu merupakan salah satu tanda yangmemperingatkan kita tentang kesempatan bertemu dengan Tuhan. Hari Minggu,misalnya, adalah waktu spesial bagi umat beriman untuk berkumpul dan beribadah.Masa PraPaskah merupakan kesempatan setiap tahun bagi seluruh umat Allah agarsecara intensif dan penuh menjalin relasi dengan Tuhan melaluitindakan-tindakan penitensi. Waktu kita untuk bertemu dengan Tuhan dapat terjadi setiapsaat dan sangat personal. Tuhan berdiam di dalam diri kita masing-masing dansetiap orang cukup mengaktifkan saja kesadaran, ketenangan batin, fokus pikirandan rasa yang intim untuk dapat mengalami saat-saat bersama dengan Dia. Kitatidak perlu mengarahkan atau  menuntunTuhan untuk datang dan bertemu dengan kita di suatu tempat dan pada saattertentu. Justru kita-lah yang menyediakan waktu dan membuka ruang untukbertemu Dia dan mengalami saat istimewa dengan-Nya. Apakah saat bertemu dengan Tuhan itu merupakan kesempatanberbalik kepada Dia? Apakah kesempatan tersebut merupakan saat seseorangbertobat dari dosa dan kejahatan? Kita semua pada waktu bertemu dengan Tuhanentah dalam kesempatan bersama umat beriman yang lain entah secara personal,adalah orang-orang berdosa. Namun tidak semua orang menjadikan kesempatan itusebagai saat berbalik kepada Tuhan. Masih banyak di antara kita yang belumbertobat dan sungguh mengalami hidup baru ketika mereka bertemu dengan Tuhandalam doa dan ibadat. Misalnya, seseorang sedang mengikuti ibadat hari Minggu digereja. Ia tidak konsentrasi dengan setiap bagian ibadat dari pembukaan sampaipenutupan. Pikirannya kacau atau sedang berlari ke mana-mana. Ia memangberjumpa dengan Tuhan saat berada di dalam gereja itu, namun ia sungguh tidakmengalami jamahan Tuhan melalui Sabda yang masuk ke dalam relung hati dankesadarannya. Ia sangat terbebani oleh masalah-masalah yang terjadi dalampribadi dan keluarganya. Ia tidak menyambut Komuni di dalam perayaan Ekaristihari Minggu itu. Siapa saja dari antara kita bisa saja belum bertobat danberbalik ke jalan yang benar pada saat berjumpa dengan Tuhan. Ia seperti pohonara yang tidak berbuah, yang diperintahkan untuk ditebang. Ia seperti bangsaIsrael yang diperingatkan oleh Musa supaya ingat akan Tuhan dan kembali kepada-Nya.Ia seperti umat Kristen yang diperingatkan oleh Santo Paulus untuk tidak jatuhke dalam dosa seperti umat Israel pada zaman dulu ketika mereka suka melawankehendak Allah. Jadi, saat kita untuk berbalik kepada Tuhan ialah padawaktu peringatan atau perintah Tuhan kepada kita untuk bertobat. Jika pada saatini peringatan itu diberikan dan sampai di telinga dan hati kita, saat itulahkesempatan untuk bertobat. Menunda atau menolaknya, maka saat atau peluanguntuk berubah akan hilang. Marialah kita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa ... Ya Allah Mahakuasa,kuatkanlah selalu iman kami akan setiap peringatan dan panggilan untuk berbalikkepada jalan, kebenaran, dan hidup, yaitu Putra-Mu Yesus Kristus dan Tuhankami. Kemuliaan kepada Bapa dan Putra dan Roh Kudus... Dalam nama Bapa...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Micah 7: 14-15.18-20; Rs psalm 103: 1-2.3-4.9-10.11-12; Luke 15: 1-3.11-32MERCY The theme for our meditation today is: Mercy. Aftergiving a homily at Holy Mass that Sunday about God's mercy, the parish priestwas visited by several young people. In the parish rectory they asked FatherBastian to enlighten again about mercy, because for them the explanation ofmercy was still unclear. They found it difficult to understand God's mercy. This is how Father Bastian explained mercy. To theperson who has wronged you, your forgiveness should not be limited to writingin a message or chat. Don't just say it once and then forget about the personand the problem. Don't just say that you're forgiving, then limit yourself tonot communicating as you used to. This is not mercy.  If you want to practice mercy, then you need to meetthe person concerned, greet in warmth even by hugging him. Speak from heart toheart with the intention of erasing all the wounds and bad memories of therelationship that have been fractured. Here there is mutual acceptance in allcircumstances. Mercy requires touch and intimacy, like a father's or mother'shug to you to ensure that their love goes to the innermost of you, to theholiest place that is your own soul. The Father continued, if a friend conveys his personalproblems that are quite serious, you certainly feel concerned. Then you promiseto pray for him. After that you pray for him once or twice. Maybe you evenforgot to pray because of your busyness. It is not mercy. It is an act that istoo big for just promises and words. If you want to practice mercy, in addition to thepromise to pray, you make it a problem in yourself as well. So ask often oreven meet with him and give him as much attention as you can. Do anything thatmakes the friend feel that he is not alone, and that you are the one who isalways with him. You are his angel. You are the answer. The essence of mercy is the act of renewing andrestoring pain, weakness or damage with acts of love. So the first is to removeall obstacles or sins that hinder the recovery of the relationship that is tobe built. According to the prophet Micah's prophecy, the sin was to be thrownaway. Next, a touch of love and forgiveness by welcoming and making thesuffering party our own. The act of restoring suffering and bringing someoneback as part of us, our families and our communities is the true act of mercy. Godhas always done so to each of us.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O God of mercy,enable us with the spirit of mercy towards our neighbors. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Genesis 37: 3-4.12-13a.17b-28; Rs psalm 105: 16-17.18-19.20-21; Matthew 21: 33-43.45-46MESSENGER Our meditation today has the theme: Messenger. Theterm "messenger" is attached to the Lord God who works to create allthings. After creation the first human beings, God sent and placed them in theworld. They were given a number of responsibilities. This sending out continuesto be made to the selected figures including Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Johnthe Baptist, and of course the greatest one certainly the Lord Jesus Christ,who were equipped with tasks that they must do. The messengers are basically askedto be responsible to God. The opponent of this sending out messenger is an evil ornegative agenda to send the chosen ones to carry out the plan of destruction ordeath. If the Lord sends the heavenly angels, the Church sends hermissionaries, the state sends its ambassadors or consuls, the community orcompany sends its managers or representatives; every attempt of evil and crimealso sends its representatives. A narcotics trafficking boss, for example, senthis men to trade drug elements, to be very well organized in the plan andsystem of the trade. He must be a great personality and so much feared by hismembers. Our common knowledge reveals that if God is omnipotentin sending his messengers, the rulers of evil also compete to send their bestpeople. If there is the Archangel Michael who is tasked to fight against Satan,there is also the greatest angel of Satan to keep up with the great armyMichael. This means that every time Satan and his messengers are so eager to finda flaw in God's messengers to deceive them and eventually master them. Ourreadings today describe the perfect state of the messengers, that is, they arethe trusted choice of the leader, ruler, father and God.  Joseph, the beloved son of the father Jacob, was sent tobe among his brothers who were very hostile to him because of their envy. The messengersof the master of vineyard were also sent out to the field. Those sent were hisconfidants, and even his own biological son to be his heir. All of thesemessengers are the best and most trustworthy, but Satan's power and evil act alsoseek to disturb and control them. This situation actually describes also our actuallife situation today. We are all together with our Master Jesus Christ becomemessengers of the heavenly Father, we carry out a mission to bring salvation ofthe world and all mankind. Jesus is the best model of sacrifice of the messengerof the Father. Salvation is the main duty to be realized. Each of us is thechosen and trusted messenger to continue the mission of Christ. We must be readyfor all the risks that come our way and threaten us. Every decision basically hasrisks. Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Jesus, strengthenus with Your power so that we can be Your best messengers. Hail Mary full ofgrace ... In the name of the Father...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Jeremiah 17: 5-10; Rs psalm 1: 1-2.3.4.6; Luke 16: 19-31THE CURSE OF COMFORT Our meditation today has the theme: The Curse ofComfort. There was a large group of termites living behind the walls of thehouse. The house looks beautiful, sturdy and the wall color is minimalist. Theframes are given a bright brown color combined with the door leaves and windowsare clear in oil paint. The head of the termite group led the deliberations andcalled for a large movement of termites to penetrate the walls of the house.Some of its members asked about the reason for the movement through the wallsof the house.  The leader replied that the number of members wasincreasing and needed a larger space. Food also needs to be added. And the mostimportant reason would be the house owner is too comfortable, too arrogant andselfish. He had to be reprimanded, at least by making his house eaten bytermites, and he ended up thinking about the fate of his own life and that ofhis family. Time passed day by day and unaware of the house owner,the walls around the house began to be filled with termites. Frames, door andwindow leaves, as well as other furniture such as cabinets and wooden shelvesbegan to be eaten by termites. The host finally realized that he was attackedby termites. The attack was the same as a thief breaking into a house withoutnotifying in advance.  He never thought before that behind a comfortable and luxurylife, it hid a curse of danger that was destructive and damaging. Immediatelyhe saw that his beautiful and magnificent house had turned into a fragile, old,dirty house and was about to collapse. He knew that regret was useless, but healso wanted to improve his household situation while he was still able to do. On this day, the holy readings provide a firm note andwarning so that we are always on the lookout for every form of curse, taste,and a comfortable life. Rich people who live more than enough are eventuallyhit by a curse at the end of their lives. All the comforts of their livesreally close their sensitivity, care, solidarity and concern for thecircumstances around them, including the poor who are always at the door of theirhouses. The reason for all forms of comfort in life is thatpeople rely only on human tastes and desires in this world. They just want tobe tasty and only for themselves. The principle is to share with others,especially those who suffer, it only harms and reduces oneself's comfort.According to the prophet Jeremiah, this lifestyle was clearly very bad and hasto be cursed. On the other hand, if we do rely on God, our life is actually in sharingand serving others, especially those who really need help.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O God, free usfrom all forms of selfishness, so that we may be generous to our neighbors. HailMary full of grace ... In the name of the Father...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. 2 Samuel 7: 4-5a.12-14a.16; Rs psalm 89: 2-3.4-5.27.29; Romans 4: 13.16-18.22; Matthew 1: 16.18-21.24aJOSEPH THE MAN WHO GIVES SOLUTIONS Our meditation today has the theme: Joseph the Man WhoGives Solutions. The historical account of salvation conveyed by the scripturesshows great figures who have had a great influence on us. A man as great asAbraham, as the second reading of the Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Romansconveys, was the father of many nations on the basis of his faith. A figure aspowerful as King David, as the first reading of the second book of Samuelconveys, occupies the throne of government that God has prepared for generationsto be passed down from generation to generation in order to realize God's willfor the coming of the Messiah. But in their times, the coming of the Messiah wasstill limited to the promises and prophecies of the prophets. The generalunderstanding of the profile of the Messiah is that of a fighter, warrior,liberator, and ruler of mankind. Period after period and characters change, thediscussion of the figure of the Messiah seems to contradict between God's willwith limited human understanding and belief. This continued until the Lord'stime was right to signify the coming of the true Messiah, which began with theevent of the glad tidings from heaven to a very humble virgin named Mary ofNazareth.  The Messiah must give up all privileges that accordingto the general assumption are entirely supernatural. The most sensitive issuethat could become a public scandal was that the virgin conceived the Son of Godto be a human person, who had to become the Messiah. Who can be the solution,in anticipation of the spread of a great scandal, so that the prodigy child whowas born later to be declared to have biological parents? Without giving roomfor people to polemic or question it, the Lord God already has the answer,namely a man of David's descendance who lived in Nazareth. He was Joseph, thecarpenter, who was made the Virgin Mary's husband. A man of great modesty, sincerity, and purity, Josephwas made by God the solution to the plan of salvation of the coming of theMessiah, Jesus Christ. Thus, the Nazareth family is complete as a solutionwhose characteristic is their modesty, sincerity, humility, willingness, andpurity of heart. The Virgin Mary stands out for being just as simple andsincere as her husband. They are united with the Savior Jesus Christ whodisplays togetherness and fellowship as God's solution to the problems thatafflict our individuals, families, the Church, and our communities. Livingmodestly and sincerely became a solution to the life style of materialism andfalsehood. Communion as a family and community of faith is a solution to thethreat of division and disintegration. Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Jesus Christ,make our hearts sincere and holy like Saint Joseph so that we may serve You andour neighbors with good faith. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to theHoly Spirit ... In the name of the Father...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Isaiah 1: 10.16-20; Rs psalm 50: 8-9.16bc-17.21.23; Matthew 23: 1-12BECREDIBLE Ourmeditation today has the theme: Be Credible. In general, we understand thatcredibility means trustworthiness. This has to do with humans or impersonal thingssuch as institutions, wisdom, decisions, choices and beliefs. Credibility isbasically a virtue that is needed if we are responsible and have convictiontoward others about what we say and do. The expected result would be that we orsomething can be trusted. This means that one or something is credible. Whatare the signs of credible people? Today the Lord Jesus teaches us onefundamental characteristic of the virtue of credibility. He uses the profilesof the Pharisees and the scribes as His example. They are good at talking andseem so convincing with their thoughts and arguments. But their obvious faultis that they don't do what they say. Credibility really demands that thereshould be a proportional connection between what is said or discussed with whatis done. Words and actions are in line. Theory is expressed in practice. Credibilitycan stand straight and be useful if its both feet are in function, namely wordsand deeds. Those who were criticized by Jesus only stood on one foot, whichwere their words. Their deeds were just zero. They were actually crippled. SoJesus' advice is this: just listen and follow what they say, because it hasvaluable advice and wisdom. But never follow their actions. Words and thoughtsor concepts are easier to be made because they do not require much sacrifices.Especially when the aim is to attract, influence, and a way of promotion, wordscan be arranged in an orderly fashion, nice to people's hearing, and as a powerto move feelings and sentiments. But this is still incomplete. It is stilllimping. Deedsand actions that have moral influence, faith principles, and human universalvalues, have their higher quality of credibility compared to ordinary actionssuch as walking, eating or drinking. The prophet Isaiah emphasizes the acts ofjustice and compassion. If people only speak, theorize, promise, and discussabout creating justice and the importance of compassion, then without doingjustice and showing compassion to others, their credibility in faith and moralstandards are questionable. They may feel so confident to talk and explainthings, but they are degrading their quality as human beings because they arenot credible. Ifthis meditation encourages us to be credible, it means that we who haveresponsibilities to take care of others in the fields of teaching, nurturing,guidance and accompaniment, we should make credibility as a means for ourconsecration and service for humanity.Let's pray. In thename of the Father ... O Lord Jesus, teach us to be trustworthy in our wordsand deeds. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In thename of the Father ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Daniel 9: 4b-10; Rs psalm 79: 8.9.11.13; Luke 6: 36-38CONFESSION The theme for our meditation today is: Confession.Andrew was an exemplary teacher. For 30 years as an educator in elementaryschool, his life example was very memorable to his students. He has neverreceived public recognition and awards from any institution. The school itselfnever recorded or reported about his personal story and real life. But the recognition and appreciation are recorded inthe hearts of his students. Many alumni remember this teacher for many years.His example of generosity, fidelity to his duties and honesty in all hisconduct is remembered for life by his former students. Each batch thatgraduated from school carried the name "Andrew" to remain engraved intheir hearts and memories. One of his former students was a government officialat where the veteran educator lives, who spent his retirement in modesty withhis wife and extended family. The former student testified that one of theforms of the old teacher's example that he remembered very much was hissincerity in admitting mistakes. It is the teacher's duty to reprimand, correct andeven punish the guilty student. For example, if a student is late for class, hewill definitely be reprimanded. A stubborn and mischievous student, he must bepunished appropriately. And every time the teacher made a certain mistake oromission, he also sincerely admitted it. He often said: "I'm sorry, I'mguilty." Often he also admitted in front of his students: "I'm sorryfor all of you, because I'm late." The teacher's confession made the students finallyrespect him very much. They trusted and loved him more and more. They admittedthat the teacher was smart, fatherly, sincere and humble. And the mostimportant thing is that with that confession, the teacher was forgiven by hisstudents. The sign of forgiveness was manifested by never remembering orbringing up his mistakes. Instead, they remembered and were more grateful forthe kindness and sincerity of their teacher. Today the prophet Daniel in his book counsels us aboutthe importance of confessing our sins sincerely and humbly. As a partner ofconfession, of course, forgiveness. And God has the power to forgive. But thispower is also poured out on us, so Jesus teaches that we must also forgiveothers, so that we too may be forgiven. It is very important that we do this inthis period of Lent.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus,forgive our mistakes and make us forgivers like Yourself. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father...

Dibawakan oleh Tirto, Hendry, Rini dan Pater Peter, SDB dari Komunitas Pukat Labuan Bajo di Keuskupan Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Kejadian 15: 5-12.17-18; Mazmur tg 27: 1.7-8.9abc.13-14; Filipi 3: 17 - 4: 1; Lukas 9: 28b-36PENAMPAKAN BARU Tema renungan kita pada hari Minggu Kedua PraPaskah iniialah: Penampakan Baru. Di dalam era komunikasi yang sangat mengutamakanvisualisasi dan kesan orang terhadapnya, sebuah penampakan baru merupakankeharusan. Siapa pun di jaman ini yang tidak terjamah oleh yang baru atau yangter-updated, ia otomatis ketinggalan. Program-program aplikasi di hp dankomputer yang Anda miliki, jika tidak membaharui diri untuk mendapatkan produkyang baru, program itu tidak akan berfungsi lagi dan sangat mengganggupekerjaanmu. Profil akun pribadi di media sosial sangat perlu dibaharuipenampakannya. Halamannya juga berubah penampilan tiap hari supaya lebihmenarik. Setiap perubahan mendefinisikan eksistensi yang bersangkutan danmendapatkan pengakuan dari orang lain. Di dunia periklanan, penampakan baruuntuk memperkenalkan produk hukumnya adalah wajib. Di dalam dunia politik,penampilan baru generasi terkini akan mempengaruhi wajah politik seluruhnya. Singkatnya, kebutuhan sebuah penampakan baru terkaitdengan keberadaan, kegiatan dan mentalitas kehidupan merupakan kebutuhan dasardalam era komunikasi saat ini. Ciri spesifik semua penampakan baru ini adalahbahwa perubahan terus terjadi. Ia seperti air mengalir dan tidak bisa sebagaiair yang sama. Kebutuhan dan keinginan kita memang tak terhentikan. SantoAgustinus berkata bahwa keinginan hati kita hanya dapat berhenti ketika iasampai kepada Tuhan. Penampakan Tuhan di Tabor sungguh memberikan kita keyakinanbahwa itu adalah perhentian perjalanan dari segala keinginan kita. Penampakanitu menggambarkan kemuliaan kekal, yang menjadi tujuan setiap orang beriman dansemua yang dikasihi Tuhan. Sejalan dengan penampakan baru dunia ini yang menjadikebutuhan dasar kita, sangat dituntut pula penampakan baru dalam jiwa dan imankita. Bersama penampakan di Tabor, menerima pengajaran Santo Paulus tentangperubahan tubuh kita yang fana menjadi tubuh yang mulia di dalam Yesus Kristus,dan mengimani perjanjian kekal Tuhan Allah dengan kita manusia, kiranya kitamengusahakan penampakan-penampakan baru bangunan rohani diri kita di dalam masaPra-Paskah ini.  Perubahan penampilan rohani kita hendaknya bertambah dalamkelipatan. Tujuannya supaya semakin berjalannya waktu untuk menuju ke akhirhidup ini, kita semakin dekat dengan pencapaian yang mulia tersebut. Pada hariini, jika Anda berdoa pribadi selama 15 menit, besok waktunya ditambah lebihlama dan intensinya ditambah lebih banyak. Berpuasa, bermatiraga dan beramalkasih juga perlu penampakan baru. Begitulah kelipatan kehidupan rohani kita.Maka terjadilah penampakan-penampakan baru di dalam kehidupan iman kita. Marilah kita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa ... Ya Allah, semogaRoh-Mu menggerakkan kami untuk membuat pembaharuan rohani yang sesungguhnya.Salam Maria penuh rahmat ... Dalam nama Bapa ...

Delivered by the Vocationist Sisters in Labuan Bajo and Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Genesis 15: 5-12.17-18; Rs psalm 27: 1.7-8.9abc.13-14; Philippians 3: 17 - 4: 1; Luke 9: 28b-36THE NEW APPARITION The theme for our meditation on this Second Sunday ofLent is: The New Apparition. In the era of communication that places greatemphasis on visualization and people's impression of it, a new apparition is amust. Anyone in this era who is not touched by the new or updated method orproduct, he is automatically left behind. The application programs on yourcellphone and computer, if you don't update yourself to get a new product, theprogram will no longer work and will greatly trouble your work. Personal account profiles on social media really needto be updated. The page also changes its appearance every day to make it moreattractive. Each change defines the existence or activity in media and gainsrecognition from others. In the world of advertising, new appearances tointroduce its legal products are mandatory. In the world of politics, the newapparition of the current generation will affect the face of politics as awhole. In short, the need for a new appearance related toexistence, activities and the mentality of life is a basic need in today'scommunication era. The specific feature of all these new apparitions is thatchange is constantly happening. It is like flowing water and cannot be the samewater. Our needs and desires are indeed unstoppable. Saint Augustine said thatthe desire of our hearts can only stop when it comes to God. The apparition orrevelation in glory of the Lord Jesus in Tabor really gives us confidence thatit is a stop from the journey of all our desires. The apparition representseternal glory, which is the goal of every believer and all that God loves. In line with the new appearance of this world which isour basic need, there is also a great demand for a new appearance in our soulsand faith. Together with the apparition in the Mount Tabor, receiving theteaching of Saint Paul about the transformation of our mortal bodies intoglorious bodies in Jesus Christ, and believing in the eternal covenant of theLord God with us humans, may we seek new apparitions of our spiritual buildingin this Lenten period.  The change in our spiritual apparition should increasemore and more. The goal is that the more time goes by towards the end of thislife, the closer we get to this glorious achievement. On this day, if you praypersonally for 15 minutes, tomorrow the time is added longer and the intentionis added more. Fasting, prayer and charity also need a new appearance. Such isthe multiplication of our spiritual life. Thus new apparitions occur in thelife of our faith. Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O God, may YourSpirit move us to make a real spiritual renewal. Hail Mary full of grace... In the name of the Father...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Deuteronomy 26: 16-19; Rs psalm 119: 1-2.4-5.7-8; Matthew 5: 43-48HOLY PEOPLE The theme for our meditation today is: Holy People. InSunday school, the teacher asked the children in this way: "What is thepurpose of God to help and care for His people?" The children's answerswere varied. Some said that the goal is to save more people. Others said thatpeople should be happy and happier. And others said that God should show thatHis love is great. The teacher who was also the catechist of the localparish ultimately concluded that all the answers were correct. The basis forthis teaching certainly because God wants goodness and truth to be on the humanside. For God's own part, there is no longer a need to make Him better and morerighteous. On the contrary, God wants us mortal humans to become better andmore righteous. According to the Gospel of Matthew today, the Lord Jesus wantsus to be a holy people, or to be perfect like the heavenly Father who is everperfect in eternity. In fact, God helps and cares for us from birth untilwe leave this world at the time of death, the purpose is for us to become holy.He entrusts us to live temporarily in this world. While in this world, each ofus with our own age limit, walks and live together under His holy light. Thisexplanation is manifested in various types. The word of God is a sacred Word. We experience theexpression of God's Word through preaching, spiritual reading, spiritual adviceor guidance, sharing the message of the scriptures, and worship. The servicesof the Church both in sacramental and non-sacramental forms and works of loveare also noble and holy deeds. The Church as the body and Jesus Christ as herHead are holy. The callings such as consecrated life, priesthood and marriageare sacred. The holy names that are attached to each of us are holy. In short,God has provided all the holy ways, means, and works to help us become holyjust as He is. The ordination of believers to be one holy people hasbeen done by the Lord God since the time of Moses, because the elect must beset aside so that His great promise of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ,to be realized. The book of Deuteronomy confirms this, to remind us of our dignityas God's holy people, through our Mother Church. However, God's holy people asan institution does not automatically guarantee that every individual member isholy. For everyone has sin, and the Church always provides an instrument forthe remission of everyone's sins. In this Lenten season, let us make use ofthat instrument.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, may weremain diligent and faithful in living our respective sacred callings. OurFather who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Ezekiel 18: 21-28; Rs psalm 130: 1-2.3-4ab.4c-6.7-8; Matthew 5: 20-26PEACE Our meditation today has the theme: Peace. A man drovehis car along the main road with a feeling of relief and comfort. Leaving thatroad, he entered the toll road with the same feeling. He seemed calm andenjoyed driving his car so comfortably, when the atmosphere of the city of Jakartathat day was very far from the crowd and density of vehicles as usual. Jakartais on vacation related to the holiday of that day. The man revealed that in matters of driving that day,he was very peaceful. There was no congestion, crowds, machine noise andnon-stop horning, bringing a calm and safe atmosphere.  The lack of vehicle smoke also reduces thefeeling of tightness in breathing that created an inner satisfaction. There wasno fatigue and pain on the faces of the drivers, which certainly brought asense of joy to the passengers. All of that brings peace in the heart. A sense of peace in our hearts and within us iscreated thanks to the completeness of its supporting factors. One of thefactors is as mentioned in the description earlier. With no chaotic, noisy,disturbing, crowded or busy atmosphere, we become calm and a sense of peace iscreated. One can find a way to avoid that situation, and in a quiet place toenjoy the state away from all kinds of crowds, he experiences peace. In a stateof calmness and solitude, there is peace. There is another factor that is a way of creatingpeace, namely by creating justice. If everyone is orderly to live in their ownpath, with their rights and obligations properly guaranteed, justice will come.Everyone lives rightly, and participates in creating a harmonious lifetogether, this is where peace is created. In this way, our Gospel today remindsus of the importance of justice that must be made and created in a real way, sothat peace is truly the embodiment of God's own love. With the example of making peace first with anopponent or enemy before coming to God's presence to pray and give thanks,Jesus here emphasizes the importance to be just. It seems that the enemy oropponent is abandoned or ignored, while we remain in talking or praying to God.This is really unfair. This is injustice. So justice demands that the problemwith the opponent be resolved for a solution that is acceptable to all parties,and only after that it becomes a prayer and an expression of gratitude. The prophet Ezekiel asks for sincere repentance, andwe should make the way of creating peace through the creation of justice as anexpression of our repentance in this period of Lent.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, may YourSpirit fill us with the gift of true justice and peace. Glory to the Father andto the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Esther C 4: 10a.10c-12.17-19; Rs psalm 138: 1-2a.2bc-3.7c-8; Matthew 7: 7-12LORD MY HELPER Our meditation today has the theme: Lord my Helper.Children at home and at school are always taught to ask when praying to God.They are told that the scriptures teach people to ask, therefore, God willgive. So Ronald, a very active 5th grade elementary school student,a clever and smart child, prayed to God in the first place then went to ask hisparents to provide.  At one time Ronald prayed like this: "Lord Jesus,tell Mama to add ten thousand (Rupiah) so that I can have snacks with myfriends later." After that Ronald went to tell his mother, that he hadprayed to the Lord Jesus, that his mother would add another ten thousandspocket money. Then he took ten thousands from his mother and left to play withhis friends. Ronald always prays in this way. If we want to be honest, more than half of our prayersare in the form of supplications. We ask and beg because we believe that God isthe provider of our lives and that he is the Lord of mercy. It is impossiblefor us to ask endlessly for those who have nothing, therefore, this is how weview God. There is no doubt, God is actually our helper. Through requests andsupplications in prayers, God listens and provides help according to His will. Humans' needs will not run out while they are still inthe world. In reality, in times when our circumstances are not urgent or not indanger, it seems that our prayers do not contain supplications. It is alsopossible that our daily prayers do not specifically express requests orsupplications, because our lives are flowing and normal. But if we look at itobjectively, our own life is a gift to be lived day and night. Instead, we needGod's guidance and protection. We should express gratitude for that gift, but in factwe implicitly ask that our lives be kept away from all evil influences andthreats of the enemy. We hope that our faith and hope in His providence willremain steadfast. The book of Esther in the Old Testament tells how the dangerof death was threatening her life, the prophet Esther was very convinced thatonly God's help was she could rely on. She felt that no one was accompanyingand helping, but only God was believed to be the main helper.  God indeed has a compassionate heart to let Hischildren ask for help in steadfast faith and strong hope. Especially in thedifficulties and hardships, our only hope is the Almighty God.Let us pray. In the name of the Father … O God, may YourSpirit always be with us in our difficult times and troubles in our lives. HailMary full of grace ... In the name of the Father...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Isaiah 55: 10-11; Rs psalm 34: 4-5.6-7.16-17.18-19THE WORD OF LIFE The theme for our meditation today is: The Word ofLife. We mention the "Living Word" first of all is to put it inopposition to the "Dead Word." There are many dead words or speaking,meaning that they are not used anymore by humans in communication. There is alanguage that is no longer used, then it can be considered dead. A number ofabusive or slandered expressions that we used in the past when we were childrenand teenagers, but now we don't use them anymore. They are dead. A bible that was bought, but never opened, read, andsimply stored on a bookshelf, until its owner forgot that he has a bible athome, can be considered dead. A library that has never been entered, used, andwhose books have never been used, is considered a dead library as well as bookslose their usefulness. The advice, input, and teachings that we receive butimmediately go out and evaporate away, or are simply dismissed and nevercontemplated and then appreciated, are all considered dead.  So there are so many incidents and experiences of oursthat illustrate how words or expressions that should be used to help us liveand work, are left to die. The reasons why the word is made dead can be variousbecause it is seen from various points of view. But we can agree that the mostcompelling reason lies in our inability to develop and make it useful.  God needs us humans in order for His Word to come tolife. He did that starting with Abraham which was continued to Moses and theprophets. His Son Himself also needed a human figure, namely Jesus Christ ofNazareth. It is through the human person that the Word is made alive, developedand fruitful. Therefore, the book of the prophet Isaiah explains that God'sWord carries out God's will, which is like rain and snow irrigating the earth,making it fertile, making plants grow, bearing fruit, and from there bread ismade for man to eat. God's Word is placed in man. Each of us encounters Godthrough the words we read, hear, and share. For example, from the situationwhen we do not know how to pray, parents and adults teach us to pray making thesign of the cross and gestures that show the attitudes of prayer. We are taughtto say the "Our Father" prayer and we continually memorize it, aswell as many other prayer formulations. If we don't say these words of prayer,mind them, and live them out, they are just empty and dead. But every atmosphere of prayer, a peaceful mind andopen mind to God's blessings, and the formulation of prayer that is integratedwith us every moment we are, is a living word, and so on makes us alive.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, may weremain fertile ground for Your Word to grow and bear fruit. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indoensia. Jonah 3: 1-10; Rs psalm 51: 3-4.12-13.18-19; Luke 11: 29-32SIGNS Our meditation today has the theme: Signs. Oursensitivity to signs is part of our character as living beings. Animals havethe instinct to recognize a sign and react to it. Likewise we humans, certainsigns that we find, provide a message for us to respond to. Our reactions canbe positive or negative, good or bad, like or dislike. Life signs are part of our entire communicationprocess. Language as a basic means of communication, in principle, is a signthat expresses the intention of our mind and heart. The world and theenvironment around us, are signs of God expressing His involvement and love tous. In short, our lives desperately need signs so that we can understand allthat exits and that will be coming to our lives.  This world and our lives would be very different, ifGod does not provide all the signs for us. How difficult it is to know andimagine the real God, if He does not use any sign to relate to us. How is itpossible for communication with human beings to occur, if from the beginning oflife there is no language and objects of creation that are signs of God'sconcern for humans? In short, signs are God's way of doing activities inrelating and communicating with us humans. The sign that is the pinnacle ofGod's action and communication to man is the Word of God or His own Son whobecame man. He is Jesus Christ of Nazareth who, according to the biblical description,had lived in the world of Palestine and its surroundings for 30 years of hislife. All of His deeds, ministry, and testimony are signs of God's greatnessand glory, with the ultimate goal being for mankind in the world to turn fromsin, be redeemed, and be saved. The reaction of man to the sign around him is eitherto accept and use it, or reject and destroy the sign. The Lord Jesus haspresented and witnessed Himself as a sign of God Himself, but not all peopleaccepted Him. Some rejected Him, as represented by the Pharisees, the scribesand all their followers. It is possible that there are people around us whobehave like those people in the time of Jesus. In general, we as followers of Christ believe andfollow the message of the signs of God's deeds that are delivered through ourChurch. This Lent is a sign from God through the norms of the Church, so thatwe can persevere in the renewal of ourselves. Prayer, fasting and charity aresigns of spiritual activities that support our conversion.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Jesus our goodTeacher, teach us always in self-renewal in this time of repentance. Hail Maryfull of grace ... In the name of the Father...

Dibawakan oleh Pastor Peter Tukan, SDB dari Salesian Don Bosco Gerak di Keuskupan Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Imamat 19: 1-2.11-18; Mazmur tg 19: 8.9.10.15; Matius 25: 31-46PENGADILAN Tema renungan kita pada hari ini ialah: Pengadilan. Kitasemua tahu bahwa lembaga-lembaga pengadilan selalu ramai. Kantor-kantorpengadilan ramai dibanjiri perkara beraneka macam. Perkara-perkara tersebutkarena banyak sekali dan sidangnya memerlukan proses-proses sesuai sistem hukumyang ada, maka berkas-berkas materinya menumpuk untuk sekian waktu lamanya. Sebuah sidang pengadilan juga selalu dibanjiri banyakorang. Umumnya para pendukung pihak-pihak yang berperkara membuat ramai dengansegala macam aktivitasnya. Mereka lakukan itu, baik ikut di dalam ruang sidangmaupun di luarnya, dengan motivasinya masing-masing. Secara prinsip, hanya adadua pihak yang melakukan atau memberikan ungkapan dukungannya. Dua pihak ituadalah mereka yang berperkara. Pihak penegak keadilan adalah wasitnya. Tujuan akhir pengadilan ialah mencapai kebenaran secarahukum. Fakta-fakta yang diungkapkan disertai dengan bukti-buktinya mendukungkebenaran tersebut. Selama kita berada di dunia ini dan menjadi bagian dalamsuatu negara, kita tentu saja diminta untuk patuh kepada sistem hukum dalamberperkara. Mereka yang terlibat di dalamnya, entah sebagai pemenang atau yangkalah, kebenaran hukum itu mengikat dan bersifat final.  Tetapi kebenaran hukum ini punya kelemahan selama kita didalam dunia ini. Salah satunya ialah bahwa penetapan hakim yang mengikat danfinal itu masih dapat dibatalkan di waktu yang lain, jika ada bukti lain yangmendukungnya, atau ada pengadil dengan wewenang lebih tinggi melakukanpembatalan. Singkatnya, jika pengadilan di dunia punya kelemahan, maka kitayang adalah orang beriman ingin supaya ada pengadilan yang sempurna, danpengadilan ini adalah bukan di dunia ini. Pengadilan sempurna itu adalah yang dilakukan oleh Tuhan.Gelar perkaranya hanya satu kali, yang dinamakan pengadilan terakhir. Merekayang menjalani perkara ialah jiwa-jiwa yang mendambakan keselamatan. Keputusanyang ditetapkan kepada setiap pihak adalah tetap dan tidak bisa dibatalkanlagi. Kita menuju kepada pengadilan terakhir itu hanya untuk mendapatkanpembacaan vonis: saya akan dimasukkan ke dalam kelompok di sebelah kanan Allah,atau sebaliknya di sebelah kiri-Nya. Berada di kanan berarti ditentukan untuk selamat danmenjadi bahagia. Berada di sebelah kiri berarti divonis untuk masuk ke dalampenderitaan abadi. Sebenarnya proses perkaranya banyak sekali terjadi di dunia.Setiap teguran, kritikan, masukan, dan hukuman yang kita dapatkan di duniaadalah bentuk-bentuk perkara yang kita hadapi. Semua itu menentukan apakah kitalayak atau tidak untuk masuk ke meja pengadilan terakhir setelah kematian kita.Marilah kita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa ... Ya Tuhan, jadilahpembela kami bila kami menghadapi setiap pengadilan di dunia ini. Salam Mariapenuh rahmat ... Dalam nama Bapa ...

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Leviticus 19: 1-2.11-18; Rs psalm 19: 8.9.10.15; Matthew 25: 31-46THE COURT The theme for our meditation today is: The Court. Weall know that court institutions are always crowded. Court offices are crowdedwith various cases. Because there are so many cases and the trial requiresprocesses according to the existing legal system, the material files pile upfor a long time. A court hearing is also always flooded with manypeople. Generally, the supporters of the litigants make a crowd with all kindsof activities. They do that, both inside the courtroom and outside, with theirown motivations. In principle, there are only two parties who make or giveexpressions of support. The two parties are those who are litigants. Thejustice enforcer is the referee. The ultimate goal of the court is to achieve the truthlegally. The facts revealed are accompanied by evidence to support the truth.As long as we are in this world and are part of a country, we are of courseasked to obey the legal system in doing things. Those who are involved in it,whether as winners or losers, the truth of the law is binding and final.  But the truth of this law has weaknesses as long as weare in this world. One of them is that the binding and final judge'sdetermination can still be canceled at another time, if there is other evidenceto support it, or there is a referee with higher authority to cancel it. Inshort, if the courts in the world have weaknesses, then we believers want thereto be a perfect court, and this court is not in this world. The perfect judgment is the one done by God. The titleof the case is only once, which is called the last court. Those who go throughthings are souls who crave safety. The decision set to each party is permanentand irrevocable. We go to that final court only to get the verdict read: I willbe put into the group at the right hand of God, or vice versa at his left. Being on the right means destined to survive and behappy. To be on the left means to be condemned to enter into eternal suffering.Actually, there are a lot of cases happening in the world. Every reprimand,criticism, input, and punishment we get in the world is the form of the case weface. All of that determines whether or not we are worthy to enter the finalcourt table after our death.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, be ourdefenders when we face every court in the world. Hail Mary full of grace ... Inthe name of the Father...

Dibawakan oleh Tirto, Rini, Hendry dan Pater Peter, SDB dari Komunitas Pukat Labuan Bajo di Keuskupan Labuan Bajo, Indoensia. Ulangan 26: 4-10; Mazmur tg 91: 1-2.10-11.12-13.14-15; Roma 10: 8-13; Lukas 4: 1-13PENGAKUAN IMAN Tema renungan kita pada hari Minggu pertama Pra Paskah iniialah: Pengakuan Iman. Apa maksudnya kita merayakan hari Minggu PertamaPra-Paskah dengan memberikan perhatian renungan kepada pengakuan iman? Bukankahpengakuan iman yang terungkap dalam doa “Aku Percaya” selalu kita ucapkan? Kitasebenarnya diarahkan untuk kembali kepada suasana tertantang, terjebak,tergoda, terancam, dan terdakwa sebagai pendosa. Seperti apa sebenarnya suasana tersebut? Tantangan danjebakan yang kita hadapi ialah membuktikan bahwa kita sebagai orang-orangterpilih dan dikuduskan. Jangan-jangan ini hanyalah teori belaka atau konsepmati yang tidak diwujudkan di dalam kenyataan. Maka kita menghadapi tantanganuntuk menunjukkan bahwa kita memang benar terpilih. Jebakan apa pun bentuknya,pasti berwujud pada keadaan atau pengalaman berupa kesulitan tertentu yangmembuat seseorang merasa ragu dengan imannya. Sama halnya dengan seseorang yang dalam keadaan terancamdan tertuduh sebagai pendosa. Misalnya ia seorang Katolik yang taat. Dia dankeluarganya dipaksa untuk melepaskan imannya, dengan pilihan meninggalkan imanKatolik berarti dibebaskan, tetapi kalau mempertahankan imannya berartidihabisi. Ada kemungkinan dia dan keluarganya memilih dibebaskan dari ancamanitu, dengan resiko harus meninggalkan iman Katolik. Suasana seperti ini ataulainnya yang semacam merupakan pengalaman real di mana-mana di dunia ini. Banyak sekali peristiwa di dunia ini yang menempatkan kitadalam pilihan apakah tetap mengikuti kehendak Tuhan dalam kebenaran dankebaikan, atau mengikuti godaan dan jebakan Setan hanya demi suatu kenyamanandan kenikmatan dunia ini. Di sinilah pesan firman Tuhan tentang pengakuan imanyang terus menerus dan semakin tegas dituntut dari kita. Khususnya, kepadasiapa pun yang saat ini menyadari dirinya berada di dalam suasana ini, atauyang berpeluang menghadapi semua jenis situasi yang sulit itu, nasihatnya ialahpakailah pengakuan imanmu sebagai senjata yang dapat diandalkan. Kita diajarkan pada hari ini bahwa pengakuan iman adalahseperti yang dilakukan oleh Musa dan bangsa Israel, yaitu menguatkan identitassebagai umat terpilih dan pengakuan imannya akan Tuhan sebagai penyelamat.Santo Paulus menegaskan identitas Kristen karena pengakuan imannya kepada YesusKristus, satu-satunya jalan keselamatan. Setiap jenis arah hidup, budaya, latarbelakang, ideologi dan pengetahuan, mengakui hanya satu Tuhan Yesus Kristus.Bahkan pribadi Yesus Kristus sendiri berhadapan dengan Setan yang menggodanyadengan begitu kuat dan menarik, pendirian Yesus tidak pernah goyah. Ia tetapsebagai Putra Allah, yang selamanya bersama Bapa di surga.Marilah kita berdoa. Dalam nama Bapa ... Ya Tuhan Yesus,bantulah kami untuk tetap kuat dan utuh di dalam iman kami kepada Allah. Bapakami... Dalam nama Bapa ...

Delivered by Jovanna Dominique Mantara, Falencia Ade from Roh Kudus Church in Labuan Bajo and Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Deuteronomy 26: 4-10; Rs psalm 91: 1-2.10-11.12-13.14-15; Romans 10: 8-13; Luke 4: 1-13CONFESSION OF FAITH The theme for our meditation on this first Sunday ofLent is: Confession of Faith. What does it mean that we celebrate the FirstSunday of Lent by giving attention to the confession of faith in our meditation?Isn't the confession of faith revealed in the prayer "I believe"always said in our prayers? We are actually directed to return to the situationof being challenged, trapped, tempted, threatened, and accused as sinners. What exactly is the situation like? The challenge and temptationwe face are showing that we are the chosen and consecrated ones. Perhaps thisis just a mere theory or a dead concept that is not embodied in reality. So weshould face the challenge of showing that we are indeed elected. Traps, nomatter what form they take, must take the form of circumstances or experiencesof certain difficulties that make a person doubt his faith. The same is true for a person who is in danger andaccused as a sinner. For example, he is a devout Catholic. He and his familywere forced to renounce their faith. The choice was to leave the Catholic faithin order to be let free. But to keep their faith, they must be excecuted. It ispossible that he and his family chose to be freed from the threat, at the riskto abandon the Catholic faith. A situation like this or any other of that kind isa real experience everywhere in this world. There are so many incidents in this world that put usin the choice of whether to follow God's will in righteousness and goodness, orto follow Satan's temptations and traps just for the comfort and enjoyment ofthis world. This is where God's message from the word of God really demands ourcontinuous and increasingly firm confession of faith. In particular, to anyonewho currently finds himself in this situation, or who has the opportunity toface all kinds of difficult situations, the good advice should be to use theconfession of faith as a reliable weapon. We are taught today that the profession of faith iswhat Moses and the Israel as a nation did, which is to strengthen theiridentity as a chosen people and their confession of faith in God as the savior.Saint Paul affirmed his Christian identity because of his confession of faithin Jesus Christ, the only way of salvation. Every type of life direction,culture, background, ideology and knowledge, recognizes only one Lord JesusChrist. Even the person of Jesus Christ himself faced Satan who tempted him sopowerfully and attractively, Jesus' stand never wavered. He remains the Son ofGod, forever with the Father in heaven.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus, helpus to remain strong and complete in our faith in God. Our father... In thename of the Father...

Šalomček, svetielka! Každý deň sa niečo začína, každý deň sa niečo končí, spieval kedysi Elán: a mali veľkú pravdu. Pre vyčerpanie Silného výberu po šiestich rokoch a v zásade neúspechu sme zavreli krám: SPvR vám v ére pokročilého ficizmu teraz ponúka novú zábavku: svoje Slovo do bitky (SdB) v LP formáte, na počesť klasických vinylov nazvané. O čo pôjde? O tradičný mix tupej zábavy a hodnotných informácií (nielen) zo sveta politiky. Skrátka - sixpack s litrami dobrej zábavy!  #Slovodobitky. Váš kompas v mori informácií. Podporiť nás môžete cez Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/silnyvyber/membership alebo kúpou šalomčeka: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silny_vyber 

Fr. Branden Gordon, SDB

Ask David How Can I Change an SDB (Self-Defeating Belief)? How Can I Cope with Intense Public Speaking Anxiety? Featuring Rhonda Barovsky, Psy.D., Matthew May, MD, Jason Meno and David Burns, MD (Jason is an AI Scientist on our Feeling Great App Team) Anonymous asks: How can I change an SDB (Self-Defeating Belief)? Hiranmay asks: How can I deal with my intense anxiety before public speaking. Answers to Your Questions Note: These answers below were written BEFORE the podcast, and the live discussion always adds new and different angles. Today, Jason Meno, our beloved AI guy on our app team, also chimes in on the many super questions submitted by Andrew (#3 - #10.) 1. Anonymous asks: How can I change an SDB? Dear Dr. Burns, I'm an avid listener of the Feeling Good podcast and for the past few weeks, an avid user of the Feeling Great app. Thank you for your incredible work and dedication to making people everywhere feel better about themselves. I have a question about self-defeating beliefs that I'm hoping you can address, either on the show or on your website. You have mentioned on several occasions that SDBs are the root cause of negative thoughts and consequently of negative feelings. Yet, to me it doesn't feel like SDBs are really addressed enough on the podcast. There seem to only be a handful of episodes covering the topic. It also seems there is a very limited toolbox of methods to use on SDBs, almost like dealing with them is considered an afterthought. If SDBs really are the cause of it all, shouldn't the primary focus be on defeating them first and only then, on defeating negative thoughts? I'm just a little bit lost when it comes to defeating SDBs, which seem to be way harder to deal with than negative thoughts. Any insights or thoughts on the subject will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Anonymous David's reply Dear Anonymous, Will start a new Ask David with your excellent question. Thanks, david First, you can look up Self-Defeating Beliefs in the search function on my website, and you'll find many great examples. Here's what I got just from "Self-Defeating Belief." You could also search for a specific type, like Perfectionism, Perceived Perfectionism, Achievement Addiction, Love Addiction, Approval Addiction, Submissiveness, etc. In general, there are two approaches to any SDB. Four approaches can be used in this order: Do a Cost-Benefit Analysis of the SDB. If Disadvantages outweigh Advantages, use Semantic Technique to modify the SDB. Do an experiment to see if the SDB is actually valid. Use the Feared Fantasy Technique to put the lie to the SDB at the gut level. Here's our latest thinking, which is a step beyond the four steps above. Do a Daily Mood Log on one specific moment when you were struggling with your SDB. We will discuss these ideas in greater depth on the show, of course! You can also find a great deal on SDBs in my books, like Feeling Good, the Feeling Good Handbook, and more. But right now, I don't even know what SDB you might want help with / more information about. Also, in the Feeling Great App, there's a terrific class called "Your PhD in Shoulds." It includes a lesson on perfectionism. 2. Hiranmay asks: How can I deal with my intense anxiety before public speaking without working on the negative thoughts I have afterwards, like “I am going to mess this up” “People are going to notice something obviously wrong in my presentation that I missed, and I will look like a fool.“ “This talk is important, it must go well! Here's his email: Dear Dr. Burns, I love your books and the feeling good podcast. They have made such a huge difference in my life (in a good way of course). I have an “ask David” question on acute anxiety: If I have to play a badminton match or give a presentation, I usually get some or a lot of anxiety the day before the big event as well as the morning of. I then use all the methods you have taught, and the anxiety reduces. However, it usually comes back with a bang just before I give the talk or play a match. Cognitive techniques are not very helpful to me 30 minutes or 5 minutes before the presentation or match. I don't have the time to sit down and write my thoughts or cannot focus at all on my thoughts. Are there any strategies to reduce this form of acute “relapse” or nerves. Here are some more details: Event: 30 minutes before my presentation. I just entered the seminar room, and the first speaker is about to start their talk. I am next. I can feel my heart starting to pound and I am getting the familiar sense of anxiety and nerves. Thoughts: “I am going to mess this up”. “People are going to notice something obviously wrong in my presentation that I missed, and I will look like a fool“. “This talk is important, it must go well”. Although to be honest, this is my analysis of what my thoughts were after the fact. 5-15 minutes before the presentation, I usually just notice my thoughts racing. To reiterate: I am not looking for help with working on these thoughts after the presentation. Any strategies to acutely deal with anxiety or rather relapse of anxiety when I don't have time to use all the wonderful TEAM tools would be very helpful. Thanks so much. Best, Hiranmay (pronounced he-run-may) living in Basel, Switzerland. David's Reply Sure, as a starting point I'd like to see your work with these thoughts on a Daily Mood Log. Do you have one that you could send me, with the percents filled in, etc. That will allow me to see what your strategies are on challenging these thoughts, and whether you can knock them out of the park, or only challenge them “somewhat.” Best, david You can see Hiranmay's excellent DML if you check here. David Continues Hi Hiranmay, It sounds like are not interested in help with the thoughts you recorded in your email below, since this, by definition, is “after the presentation.” If you like, you could perhaps “make up” some thoughts you might be having BEFORE you start to speak. As someone who has had, and recovered from crippling public speaking anxiety, I have tons of powerful techniques, but would need some help from you so I'll have something to go on. By the way, I absolutely DO NOT BELIEVE you when you say those are not the thoughts you are having in the minutes before you begin to speak! So, your requirement that we are not allowed to work on them is a bit of a hindrance. As an aside, I will include this in an Ask David podcast, if that is okay! Sincerely, david I asked H to send me a copy of his Daily Mood Log, which was really well done, and responded with a few suggestions. Then I sent this note: David's Subsequent Response One thing I noticed on your Daily Mood Log is your fear of making a mistake, or having a critical question from someone in the group, or not being able to impress your audience sufficiently. These fears are common in public speaking anxiety. We've all struggled with them at one time or another, I think!  I have changed my focus from needing to impress the audience with myself or my talk, and instead I try to remember to try to impress them with themselves, and how awesome they are. Here's an example. I once gave a presentation on the serotonin theory of depression for about 1,000 psychiatrists at a prominent medical school in Texas. It was going well and suddenly a man at the rear stood up and started shouting something like this: “I'm so sick of all you establishment researchers thinking you know so much and ignoring my work. I have discovered the cause and cure for depression in my laboratory. (He claimed it was some kind of vitamin deficiency.) But everyone is ignoring my work (and more ranting and raving.) There was a chilled silence in the room. Here's how I responded: “I appreciate was you're saying, and I agree. I think our current focus on deficiencies in brain serotonin is extremely misguided, and predict, as you say, that research will show that the chemical imbalance theory of depression is not valid. And often, the most important breakthroughs come from laboratories like yours, where someone who is unknown discovers the actual cause of an illness after being ignored for years and years. I'd be honored if you'd approach me at the end of my talk so I can learn more about your pioneering research!” Notice I did not defend myself, but tried to make HIM feel good. At the end of my talk, about 20 or more people came crowding up to the podium with questions and such. I saw him at the back of the group, pushing his way to the front. I braced for another attack. He said, “Dr. Burns, that was the best presentation I've ever heard by far on the serotonin theory of depression. If you would give me permission, I would love to show your slides to my students and colleagues!” I have very little fear of being attacked by people in the audience, and I now speak all the time in front of groups. I used to have paralyzing public speaking anxiety. But the monsters I feared were all in my brain! Warmly, david   Andrew asks 8 cool questions! (#3 - #10) which are listed below, along with my answers. Jason Meno also sent some awesome answers, which you'll find below as well, right after my answers to the 8 questions.  

Do you love to laugh? Then fall down the ha-ha hole that is Pop Goes The Actor's third episode! This week, we're looking at comedians who tested the pop waters, including a Blues Brother, Eddie Murphy, Tracey Ullman, and Jack Black. Acting range, the cult of mid-'70s SNL, finding unexpected IQ points in a song you've heard a dozen times, and which instrument is the creme fraiche of blues tracks -- and much more. Someone here is from Jersey, so order your minimum two drinks and listen! Intro and outro by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli; special thanks to Amanda, and to Terri. For more information/to become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas. SHOW NOTES The "limberjack dolls" SDB was trying to think of the name for Daphne Merkin goes deep for the Times on "jolie-laide" (gift link) The Dragnet rap, a staple of morning drive-time radio at that time This Had Oscar Buzz on Bernie Our Weird Al vs. Everybody season "Whatzupwitu"'s Wikipedia page