Honest And Responsible Luke, 19:11-28

We must have heard the term Judgment Day, what are our feelings and thoughts?  Of course we say the day of reckoning, the time when we have to give accountability for our lives and only we ourselves know what kind of accountability to give.  For from our own mouths, we shall pronounce judgment upon ourselves.

the disciples that Jesus' journey to Jerusalem was not only the beginning of the building of the kingdom but also a time to account for all the beliefs that were offered to the disciples and all of us.

It is not the result that determines the responsibility, but the effort and honest attitude.  Today's parable provides an example of how dishonesty can be self-defeating.  If people can only blame others and do not dare to admit their own limitations, then the struggle will not work as it should.

We have great trust, which is receiving grace and opportunity.  This we need to be fully developed.  What opportunities should we look for?  Which possibilities should we take advantage of?

Yes, we need to pray that God will deliver us from evil and give us the grace to live a holy life so that we sincerely account for our lives on Judgment Day.

Work and pray

Work and pray

Two equally important activities are prayer and work.  Praying and working are two different types of activities but often because of circumstances and conditions sometimes we do it at the same time and place.

The question is, can we do both activities at the same time?  To clarify this question, consider the following example.

Let's take an example:1

 Doni went to the office by car, in between traffic jams he prayed the Rosary, all the way to his office.  This is an example of working and praying.

 Example 2.

 Budi followed Mass, during his homily and in between singing he was busy sending or receiving sms.  This is also an example of praying and working.

 Let's introspect ourselves, which one do we often do?

 Activities that are similar to the first event or similar to the second event.  Hopefully we don't do a second event.

Imagine, when subordinates face their superiors, students face teachers, students face lecturers, while carrying cellphones and busy texting, it's not polite, right?

We just have to be polite to our fellow human beings, especially to the Almighty God who always pours out His blessings on us every day.  Hopefully we are among those who are polite and don't pray.

Physical weakness often hinders our intentions to do good.

Because I don't feel rich yet, I don't have the courage to donate.  Since I did not study theology, I did not dare to be involved in the management of the Church.  Because I don't know, I don't have to help those in trouble.  Feeling myself a sinner, I distanced myself from God and ecclesiastical activities.

Zacchaeus had an extraordinary desire to meet Jesus.  His weakness did not stop him from seeing Jesus.  He also made sense by climbing up a tree to be able to see Jesus.  And did he find Jesus?  It didn't turn out.  It was not Zacchaeus who met Jesus, but it was Jesus who met Zacchaeus who was on a tree.

 Jesus also knows exactly what and how our weaknesses are today.  What Jesus wants is for us to try to come to Him.  Due to circumstances and weaknesses, we cannot recognize the Lord Jesus.  But Jesus did not close his eyes.  He will come to meet us, as long as we want to try.

Doing good does not need to wait until you actually physically meet Jesus.  Delaying doing good is also delaying meeting Jesus.  A deep spiritual experience made Zacchaeus promise to give some of his wealth to those who are suffering.  His desire to see Jesus is a sign that his heart longs for peace and salvation.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost.  May we always long for and want to meet Jesus, the source of our peace and salvation.

True story about a very famous violinist. he is a very generous person, the proceeds from his performance he donated to the welfare fund.

Famous Violin Story.

Every human being like us is God's creation & beautiful work like a violin whose purpose was created by the violinist to play beautiful music.  But it is a pity that too many of us let the creator's purpose be neglected.

 A true story about a very famous violinist in the 20th century, he is a very philanthropist too, the results of his performance are mostly donated to welfare funds.

Once while performing in Europe, he saw a very beautiful and brilliant quality violin being sold in a music store.  But because he did not have enough money to buy.  He started to collect money, and when he had enough money, he returned to the Violin seller's shop.  But unfortunately the violin has been sold, and he was told that the violin had been bought by a collector.

After being told the address he went to visit the Collector and conveyed his intention to buy the beautiful Violin.  But the sicoletor refused because the violin was very rare and beautiful.

Disappointed and before leaving, he asked.  May I excuse myself to play music with the violin one last time before the violin is stored in the cupboard as a coke item in your museum?

Knowing that his guest was a very famous Violin Musician, the Collector gave permission.  And in his living room, the musician was playing very beautiful music that only the rich collector could hear and witness.

The music was so beautiful that it thrilled the collector's heart.  When the music stopped, he said: This violin shouldn't be kept in my collection cupboard, I shouldn't be holding it as a collection and the beauty of its sound just disappears in my closet.  the beautiful music that can be produced must be heard and echoed and heard by all corners of the world.  Take this Violin for free, and sing beautiful music from it.

Question: Is our life like a violin that is only kept… or always playing beautiful music that is heard by others and brings glory to the Creator?

whoever loses his life because of me and because of the gospel, he will save it.

Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for Me and the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, but he loses his life. For what can he give in exchange for his life?  ?” (Mark 8:35-37)

 Jesus spoke of three kinds of people, three kinds of results:

One type of person is "gaining the whole world" and the result is "losing his life."

The other type is "saving his life" and the result is "losing his life"

And the third type of person "lost his life for Jesus and for the gospel" and the result is "he will save it."

 The first type of people are people in the world who are passionate and desperately trying to make money.  There are many such people, they all think that they have the potential to earn money and they are happy.  They are satisfied.

 Such people have lost their lives in this life, they have become slaves to their money and career, having been led by world fame and fortune.  They spin & run, have problems, have no peace in their hearts, have no freedom, and have no time to share happiness with their wives and children.  And many people struggle for a while to make a lot of money.  His wife and children were torn apart and his family torn apart.

 Such people think that eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves are all good things in life.  Each was happy, after which they were empty, bored, tired, and painful.  They will soon discover that they have always had some kind of spiritual hunger, some kind of inexplicable problem, a deep sense of helplessness, and a fear of death.  These symptoms such as incurable disease, leaving behind treasures of gold and silver, Status of fame, eating, drinking and enjoying cannot be eliminated.  Are you saying that such people gain the whole world not to lose their lives?

 Such a person will also lose eternal life.  When they died, there was only one fear left.  There is also a last bit of regret.  There may be a feeling that "this is right not a point."

 In fact, God is the abode of the human soul.  One who knows God, the soul will never be alone, even death will be peaceful and happy, full of hope, because he knows where he is going.  If a person does not listen to God, he does not know where he came from, he also does not know where he is going, there is no hope from birth to death.  Such people, even if they have obtained the entire world, have lost their lives.  What is the point?  What can he give in exchange for his life?

 The second person is the one who only knows how to take care of his life and does everything possible to protect his life.  For example, many people exercise, strengthen nutrition, seek medical advice, and prolong their lives.  No matter how much capital was expended on a person's body, he had little to gain and was basically powerless.  It's time to die, die, don't talk about death, still die, finally all die.

 Actually, humans have always lived by God.  The human body is supported by air, sunlight, water, soil, plants and animals created by God.  The human soul is supported by the Holy Spirit of God.  This Holy Spirit caused the Virgin Mary to conceive and give birth to Jesus, so that whoever comes to Him will never hunger again, and whoever believes in Him will not thirst anymore.  and the soul is as full as the flesh.  So Jesus said, "I have come, that they may have life, and have it in all abundance."  (John 10:10).

 If someone says: I don't need the air, the sun, the water, the soil, the plants, and the animals that God has created.  I can feed myself.  You know that he is so stupid, he will surely die.  Similarly, if someone says: I don't need Jesus from God, I can save my own soul.  He was also the same fool and would definitely lose his life.  God understands man best, so He said: "Whoever wants to save his life, he will lose it".

The third type are people who believe in Jesus and put their lives in Jesus.  Such a person is not only born of the flesh but also of the Spirit.  The Spirit became life in Him.  This life is connected to the eternal God, who is eternal life.  One who has eternal life will live in peace and joy and freedom.  Any true Christian can show you this.

 Whatever is needed, from body to life, not God's support?  The branches bear fruit only because they grow on the vine.  Are not all human energy, wisdom, and accomplishments given by God?  If the branches boast, distrust, or cling to the vine, they will die after a while of greening.  Is this not the case of man before God?  Therefore, Jesus advised this world: "Whoever loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will save it." This is God's love for us.  For our good, tell the secret of life!

Dude, what kind of person are you today?  Are they those who are hunted for the whole world and lose their lives every day, or are they those who are able to save themselves but can never escape the fear of powerlessness and death?  

Friend, or being the third person, become a person with life inside and out, peace and joy in this life, full of hope for eternal life.  The solution is simple: Believe in Jesus, pray to God with your heart and honesty, confess your sins and limitations, and be willing to humble yourself and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life.  When you really do it, God's blessings will surely come to you and your family.

Jesus called the Blind Man. Your Faith That Saves. Luke, 18:35-43

Dear friends of God's people.  It is a pity that just because a person believes in God and wants to remain faithful to Him, he has to pay for it with his life.  But this is what we have to do as a disciple of Jesus, this is our faith being tested and proven.

This story, the blind beggar got a share of his misfortune, he was blind, he had to beg and when he called for Jesus, he was scolded and told to shut up.

This would make anyone lose their faith but not this blind beggar.  that's when his faith is tested and proven.  He not only received the vision but his faith also saved him.

 May we be able to see our adversity as an opportunity for our faith to be tested and proven, and may our faith in God also bring us salvation.

Our judge is God himself, a good God. God wants what is good for us. Luke, 18:1-8

The God-fearing judge gave the widow what she wanted so that he would be free from her interference.  However, our Judge is God Himself, a good God.  God wants what is good for us.  Allah will hear our every prayer and will give His best response for us.  This is the challenge of this parable of Jesus.

 Through this parable of the diligent widow, Jesus wanted His disciples to understand and recognize God's goodness and His faithfulness, thus enabling them to follow in His footsteps.  Seeing how completely and totally Jesus loved and obeyed His Father, this gives us the assurance that God is worthy and worthy of our endless trust.

 We can bring our needs before God with an open heart and with the perseverance that this widow has, then we too will recognize the voice of God through the Scriptures and through His messengers.

 We may not see or understand how the situation is actually part of God's plan, but we still have faith that God will answer our prayers in ways we have not or could not have imagined.  This is the faith that Jesus seeks when He returns.