JESUS ​​CHRIST KING OF THE UNIVERSE

a celebration that wants to remind us that Jesus is King in this universe.  As King, His presence is a Blessing to HUMANITY.  The greatest blessing we receive from Him is HIS EXAMPLE OF LIFE to us, LIFE TO LOVE EACH OTHER.  The example of life He manifested by the miracles He did both healing and feeding, then atonement for our sins through His death on the cross.

 My brethren, let us ask ourselves: Is Jesus still the king who reigns and reigns in each of us, in our families, in society, and in the midst of life in this universe?  Are we still providing the best time in our daily lives for Jesus the Lord?

 It is not uncommon for JESUS ​​to be neglected in our daily lives.  He is indeed the king who resides within us, but often we don't greet him, we are ignorant and don't care about him, we don't ask for his advice and considerations.  Maybe all this time we "KING" OTHER THINGS OUTSIDE Christ.  We want POWER OVER OURSELVES so that we forget Jesus who is in fact the king who rules over us.

 The Lord Jesus as the King of the Universe is truly a BLESSING for us.  Let us open the eyes of our hearts so that we find and feel God's blessings for us every day.  Next, let the Lord Jesus always be king in our hearts.  Let Him lead our hearts so that more and more people receive His blessings, the King of the Universe.

My house is a house of prayer, don't make it a den of thieves. Luke, 7:45-48

Jesus was angry when the synagogue was turned into a trading place.

People who like high cholesterol foods will result in themselves having excess cholesterol.  A person who likes to eat and drink sweet, is likely to get sick with diabetes.  People who like to eat red meat or who have high blood content, it is almost certain that he will get high blood pressure.  In other words, what we eat can tell us who we are.

 Jesus reminds us that the temple is a house of prayer.  In a new perspective, Saint Paul says that our body is the temple of God.  The temple of God is the house of God.  And if God's house is a house of prayer, then our body is also a house of prayer.

Jesus reminded that each of us is actually a house of prayer.  If our bodies are filled with the elements of robbers, it is certain that the house of prayer will turn into a house of thieves.  What was supposed to be a place of sanctification but instead the house of prayer became a place of robbery.  Thus, it can be understood that what comes out of us is not a sanctifying element but an element of sin.

Basically our body is where God is present.  We are the temple of the living God.  What kind of temple our God wants to be, completely depends on what goes into us.  If good habits enter the body then what comes out of our body is good too.  If goodness and holiness are what is in each of us, our lives and work will bring more goodness and blessings to everyone.

 Remember these words of Jesus and let us always honor the house of God and the Altar.  Our reverence is an indication of the faith and love we have for God.

The Lord Jesus cleanses the temple” describes how Jesus was very angry with the merchants and money changers in the court of the temple.  He overturned the tables of merchants including scattering the money of the changers and making whips to drive the merchants away.

 The source of the problem behind buying and selling animals and exchanging money is the practice of collusion and injustice as well as abuse of authority for self or group interests.  Small people who will worship and offer sacrifices in the temple of God are forced to buy sacrificial materials and animal sacrifices at a much higher price.  They also have to exchange their money for money that is considered legitimate, at a much more expensive and stifling price.

This situation is what Jesus judged as a "den of robbers" or a breeding ground for evil.  This is also where Jesus actually wants to purify the HUMAN HEART which is full of SELF-INTEREST AND GREED.

 For the sake of the oppressed and disadvantaged small community, God is willing to do anything and is ready to deal with anyone.

He warned the crowds, "Don't turn my Father's house into a place to sell."  It is true that it is written, “The love of your house will consume me” (Psalm 69:10).

Similar things, now also often occur in our places of worship, for example the sound of cellphones during Eucharist celebrations, texting during worship or the Eucharist, dressing inappropriately, chatting or making noise that disturbs the solemnity, even gossiping happily in church,  etc.  Therefore, this action of Jesus may also awaken us all.  We are invited to truly create and maintain a holy place of worship so that everyone who comes can truly experience an encounter with God, praise and glorify His name and experience His love to be distributed to others.

We are the temple of God, the abode of the Holy Spirit where we unite with the Most Holy Triune God when we are sanctified by baptism.  Is our life still clean now, not like the market?

Regardless of whether we are beautiful or not, handsome or not, black or white, skinny or fat, WE ALL ARE ALL THE HOLY TEMPLE OF GOD.  We all have an obligation to be the temple of God, the new temple of God.  We are a Church that must always be cleansed and rebuilt, so that we live in an intimate relationship with God.

Lent is a time of repentance and a time to purify the heart through various spiritual practices.  Obedience and a good relationship with God, must be reflected in our relationship to others.  

May our hearts truly BECOME HOLY AND NOT DETERMINED BY VARIOUS KINDS OF SELF-INTEREST AND PERSONAL AMBITIONS.  Controlling the heart is a wise choice of attitude that must be fought for constantly.

Marriage is a sacred thing that must be lived with a big heart and soul. There is no right or wrong word. every second, Becoming a learning time for a harmonious family.

Much water cannot quench it, rivers cannot wash it away.  We were designed for Togetherness ~ the three-piece rope doesn't break easily. Even though living together is not as easy as the theory we often read.

 We have lived a lot of pain and happiness.  There is a lot of tolerance that must be shared, even though it is not easy....There are times when the personal ego always wants to be respected.  There are times when the word sorry feels difficult to give to your beloved husband or wife.

 Marriage is a sacred institution that must be lived with a big heart and soul..... there is never a word wrong and right..... every second, it's not enough just to learn..... but have to work hard and try tirelessly  to keep the marriage intact.

 Marriage is a partnership in which one inspires the other, and brings fruit to both.  Marriage is the last, best opportunity for growth, there is no relationship, union or friendship more loving, friendly and joyful than a good marriage.  The true measure of love is to love without measure.

 A happy marriage is not because we find a suitable partner, but because we want to be a suitable partner.  We should not force our partners to match ourselves with us, but we must match ourselves with our partners.  The purpose of marriage is not to have the same thoughts, but to think together.

 Many miracles come unexpectedly...Sometimes the comfort I thought... turned out to be a storm and the other way around.  All return to sincere intentions without prejudice.  Happiness and sadness will come in time.... All of these are signs that God still loves us.

 “Unless the Lord builds the house, in vain are those who build it;  If it is not God who guards the city, the guards are in vain to keep watch."

 "Love is patient; love is kind; it is not jealous. It does not boast and it is not arrogant. It does not act immodestly and does not seek its own benefit. It is not short-tempered and does not hold onto the faults of others. It does not rejoice over injustice.  , but because of the truth. He covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate."

 "For I believe that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, neither present nor future, nor powers, nor above nor below, nor any creature  otherwise, nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.

Yesus Menangisi Yerusalem Tentu Sungguh Mengharukan. Mengapa Yesus menangisi kota tua Tersebut ? Lukas 19:41-44

Pada waktu itu ketika Yesus mendekati Yerusalem dan melihat kota itu, Ia menangisinya, katanya, “Wahai Yerusalem, alangkah baiknya andaikan pada hari ini juga engkau mengerti apa yang perlu untuk damai sejahteramu! Tetapi sekarang hal itu tersembunyi bagi matamu. 

Sebab akan datang harinya, musuhmu mengelilingi engkau dengan kubu, lalu mengepung dan menghimpit engkau dari segala jurusan. Dan mereka akan membinasakan dikau beserta semua pendudukmu. Tembokmu akan dirobohkan dan tiada satu batu pun akan dibiarkan terletak di atas batu yang lain. Sebab engkau tidak mengetahui saat Allah melawati engkau.

 hanya 2 kali Injil mengisahkan  Tuhan Yesus menangis. Pertama, Tuhan menangis saat mendengar Lazarus meninggal. Kedua, Tuhan Yesus menangisi nasib orang-orang Yerusalem yang akan hancur beserta seluruh kotanya. Kisah ini menegaskan betapa Tuhan memperhatikan hidup dan keselamatan manusia.

 Tuhan sangat peduli terhadap derita manusia. Ia menebus manusia dari segala dosa dan menuntun pada jalan keselamatan.  Cinta kasih, persaudaraan dan belarasa merupakan pewartaan, ajaran dan kesaksian hidup Tuhan selama hidupNya. Para murid dipanggil untuk meneladan dan mengikuti Dia agar hidup saling mengasihi, berbelarasa dan saling membukakan jalan keselamatan. 

Yerusalem dikenal sebagai kota yg kudus bahkan kota dimana Yesus menjumpai umatNya & umatNya mengelu-elukan menyambut Dia. Tetapi ketika Yesus telah dekat dan melihat kota itu, Ia menangis. 

Mengapa Yesus menangis? 

Karena Yesus sangat mengasihi mereka yg akan binasa karena umatnya & para pemimpin sibuk dg hal2 yg kelihatan rohani tapi ujung2nya menolak Dia. 

Keadaan ini tanpa kita sadari sama dg apa yg sering kita lakukan. Ketika beribadah, ketika melayani, kelihatannya sangay rohani & kita sangat prepare mempersiapkan segala sesuatunya bahkan siap menyambut kehadiran Tuhan. Tapi ketika Yesus melihat kita, Dia justru menangis. 

Pelajaran apa yg perlu kita ambil agar ketika Tuhan melihat kita, Dia tersenyum?

1. Belajar mengerti apa yg perlu untuk damai sejahtera kita - ayat 42. Hal2 yg bersifat lahiriah bukan sumber damai sejahtera kita. Sumber damai itu sendiri adalah Kristus. Kita perlu Yesus di atas semua keperluan kita.
2. Jangan sibuk dg hal2 yg tdk esensial. Band. Marta dan Maria. Mempersiapkan pelayanan dan melayani adalah hal yg penting tapi yang lebih penting adalah mendengar Tuhan berfirman dan mengerti isi hati Tuhan. Itu adalah bagian yg tdk akan pernah dapat diambil dari kita.
3. Sadari ada musuh yg mengelilingi kita - ayat 43. Tuhan menghendaki keselamatan tetapi Iblis ingin kebinasaan. 
4. Jangan pernah mengabaikan lawatan Tuhan. Ketika beribadah jgn setengah2. Mensengar firman jgn masuk kanan keluar kiri karena itu akan berdampak sangat buruk. 
5. Memiliki rasa lapar dan haus akan Tuhan. Band. Zakheus - kelemahannya tdk menghalanginya untuk melihat Yesus.

Yesus menangisi Yerusalem tentu sungguh mengharukan. Mengapa Yesus menangisi kota tua ini? Hal ini menggambarkan, betapa usaha Allah untuk menyelamatkan manusia namun tawaran keselamatan hanya mengecewakan. Manusia tidak mengenali siapa yang melawati mereka.

Peringatan ini tentu juga berlaku bagi kita semua. Betapa kasih karunia yang ditawarkan kepada kita dalam hidup ini menjadi sia-sia karena kita tidak mampu memahami bahwa Allah telah melawati kita dalam kehidupan di dunia ini. 

Apakah Yesus tidak menangisi kita juga? Apakah kita masih mau mengembangkan kepekaan seperti itu? Apa yang perlu kita perhatikan?

Ada hikmat yang mendalam dari kisah Injil hari ini, yakni Anak Allah menaruh hati yang mendalam pada suasana kehidupan yang pantas diratapi. Tentu ratap tangis itu bukan ratap tangis keputusasaan melainkan tanda belarasa dan setia kawan yang mendalam. Dengan ratapan ini diharapkan rasa pilu masih bisa muncul dari hati yang keras. Hati baru bisa muncul karena rindu akan kebaikan dan kedamaian.

Dosa dan kejahatan tidak pernah bisa membawa kita kedamaian hati. Maka marilah kita membuka mata dan mengenali tanda-tanda yang mengarahkan hati kita menuju kedamaian, mohon pengampunan dan penyembuhan sehingga kedamaian Tuhan yang memerintah di hati kita. 

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.