Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday of the 22nd week in ordinary time, 6 September 2023

Delivered by Theodore Joseph Witanto and Hadi Witanto from Saint John Bosco Church in Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Colossians 1: 1-8; Rs psalm 52: 10.11; Luke 4: 38-44
THE GRACE OF OUR HOPE   The theme for our meditation today is: The Grace of Our Hope. Hope is one of the fundamental virtues as a gift from God for every believer. Faith is the main condition for hope. We believe that there is a God in heaven, therefore we must hope to meet Him someday.   If strong faith enables someone to do great things, this hope connects us with the spiritual ability to endure and survive all forms of difficulties, because at the end of it all is joy and salvation. To measure how strong the hope is, there are at least three signs to indicate that hope is indeed the main choice.   First, hope becomes a guide and foundation for our feet to stand on when we are under threat and persecution. In this situation, physical abilities, means and facilities cannot be relied on to face this difficult situation. What we only have is hope, either as rendering to accept it or waiting for intervention and help from other parties to come.   Second, hope takes the form of courage and free will to face the threat of suffering and death for the glory of the Gospel. In this difficult situation, the power that a person has is courage and will as the instruments overcome the threat. Courage makes a person openly declare his belief in evangelical truth, as well as being a weapon to fight this threat. Willpower strengthens courage so that the action truly represents something noble and praiseworthy.   Third, hope appears in the form of joy and happiness when there are difficulties, suffering and persecution about to come. This joy indicates that every form of suffering or difficulty is a special opportunity to be enjoyed for and with Jesus Christ. The words of Jesus always strengthen us all that we follow and walk with Him while carrying our own crosses. This is a great hope and very reassuring.   Saint Paul wants to strengthen the hope of the Colossian Church and all of us that in God and in heaven there is our greatest hope. Jesus places within us that hope, that every person whose life is renewed opens up a path of hope for eternal salvation.   Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord God, the source of all our hope, may in facing all the difficulties and suffering of life, we find in You the strength to endure, genuine virtue and steadfast hope. Hail Mary full of grace ... In the name of the Father... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com..../pod/show/media-la-p