Readings and meditation on the Word of God on the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 27, 2023

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in Labuan Bajo, Diocese of Ruteng, Indonesia. Isaiah 22: 19-23; Rs psalm 138: 1-2a.2bc-3.6.8bc; Romans 11: 33-36; Matthew 16: 13-20
WHICH GOD HAS CHOSEN, SO IT HAPPENS   The theme for our meditation on this 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time is: What God Has Chosen, So it Happens. God has all the power to reveal His will and with the realization of that will, it will happen according to His will. No human or angel can change God's will.   None of us are able to know, explore and understand what is in God's mind and will. This is what Saint Paul says in today's second reading. Our faith becomes increasingly dependent on Him, because He knows and does everything. We can't understand everything. It is enough for us to accept all of this with the attitude of faith: it will happen as God has already designed.   If the president or the pope have the privilege of making a final decision, let alone God who is all-powerful, His privilege is indeed all-powerful as we believe. A choice of God is so united to His will. In the stories of the scriptures it is very well known how God favours those who are small, young and unrecognized. If that's the choice, then it will happen.   The example from the first reading shows that God prefers and appoints a servant named Eliakim bin Hilkiah to take care of the king's palace. As a result, Sebna, who was the official who held that position, was removed from office. All rights attached to it are handed over to the chosen servant. Jesus chose and appointed Simon Peter as number one among the apostles and leader of the Church. Peter was just a fisherman with poor education. His personality is known for speaking without thinking first. But he was chosen to be the first and a leader.   Before choosing and appointing someone for a particular calling and profession, God calls and knows that person first. Calling by our names through baptism and recognition takes place with various experiences of learning, practicing, and habituating oneself to live according to God's discipline and teachings. Our families and early education are the main places where these experiences are formed. There our natural state, character, and spiritual potential are prepared. Then, in time, God does choose and raise us up with a calling that is suitable for growing in our natural state which is ready. Each of us should gladly accept that calling and be grateful for it at all times. This is an expression of our faith.   Let's pray. In the name of the Father... By experiencing Your love through this Eucharistic celebration, O Father, the most merciful, may we be given physical strength that sustains the soul filled with the word and Eucharistic banquet, so that we return to our activities every day in living out our respective vocations and professions. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father ... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com..../pod/show/media-la-p