MY daily reflection and prayer:
Tuesday, Desember 8, 2015
Feast of the Solemnity of Mary Immaculate Conception;
The Openning of the Jubilee Year of God’s Mercy;
Promulgation of the RIKAS 2016-2035
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
THERE are three important events in our lives today as a member of Catholich Church in the Archdiocese of Semarang. First, in the global context of the Catholic Church in the world, we celebrate two amazing moments of faith. Today is the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary Immaculate Conception. It is one of the most important Marian feasts celebrated in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church celebrated worldwide.
Second, in the global context of the Catholic Church, today is also the first day of the extraordinary Jubilee Year of God’s Mercy as announced by Pope Francis. It begins today, December 8 and will end on November 20, 2016, the Sunday dedicated to Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and living face of the Father’s mercy.
Third, in the local context of the Archdiocese of Semarang, today is a very special day. As being asked by Mgr. Johannes Pujasumarta before his death, we must promulgate RIKAS (Rencana Induk Keuskupan Agung Semarang) – the Master Pastoral Plann of the Archdiocese of Semarang 2016-2035. We are invited to build the civilization of love in Indonesia which marked by living in prosperity, dignity and faith. Today is the Promulgation of the RIKAS 2016-2035.
So, in the three of these context, we are praying that we can live a grace-filled life as being experince by St. Mary, the mother of Jesus and our mother as well. As proclaimed in the Gospel today, the angel Gabriel salutes Mary as full of grace. God has chosen her to become the mother of the Savior.
Surely, God gives us grace and he expects us to respond with the same willingness, obedience, and heart-felt trust as Mary did. In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist we not only worship Jesus Christ, the only living face of the Father’s mercy, but also pray that he gives us grace to build the civilization of love in our daily lives which marked by living in prosperity, dignity and faith.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the living face of the Father’s mercy. You offer us abundant grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Give us the grace and strength to respond your love. May we are able to build the civilization of love in our daily lives which marked by living in prosperity, dignity and faith now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
