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Month: August 2023

A Woman Called Dog

A Woman Called Dog

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time [A]
August 20, 2023
Matthew 15:21-28

Today’s gospel is genuinely puzzling. How could Jesus act so harshly toward a woman in distress? Why did Jesus have to call her ’a dog’? Where was Jesus’ compassion and mercy?

A bit of historical context may help us. Jesus and His disciples were going toward the district of Tyre and Sidon. These two ancient cities were outside Israel’s territory to the north (presently in Lebanon). The primary purpose of coming to this area was to rest. The constant ministries in Palestine drained the energy, and they needed rest. So, we can imagine Jesus and His followers were exhausted after the various ministries and long journeys, but suddenly, a Canaanite woman came and disturbed their peace.

The typical reaction would be to ask the woman to leave, and this is precisely what the disciples suggested to Jesus. Yet, Jesus did not send her away nor ignore her but instead started a dialogue. We may recognize that Jesus has a particular plan for this woman. But what is His goal for her?

Firstly, Jesus told her that He came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel, meaning His priority would be the Israelites and not the Gentiles. Yet, the woman refused to give up and even kneel before Jesus. Interestingly, the Greek word used is ‘προσκυνέω’ (proskuneo), and this word can be translated as ‘to worship.’ Despite the apparent rejection, she stepped up her determination and even worshiped Jesus. Looking at her reaction, Jesus also came with stronger words, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs (Mt 15:26)” Again, the woman refused to yield. Unexpectedly, she was neither angry nor insulted. Instead, she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table (Mt 15:27).” Because of her great love for her daughter and her trust in Jesus, it did not bother her to be associated to ‘dogs’ and even content with the leftovers. Hearing her answers, Jesus proclaimed that she had great faith and would receive her request.

Yet, a question lingers. Is it truly an insult to call the woman ’a dog’? It is interesting to notice that the Greek word used is ‘κυνάριον’ (kunarion), and it is not just any dog, but a little household dog. Yes, it is a dog, but it is a part of the family and often well-loved. While it is true that the Gentiles were not Jesus’ priority yet, they were very close to His heart. Now, aware of this, ‘kunarion’ can be either an insult or a term of endearment. Fortunately, the woman decided to see this term not as an insult but as an opportunity to get closer to Jesus.

We recognize now that Jesus was making the woman the model of faith in the face of trials and difficulties. Through her, Jesus demonstrated that God’s apparent silence to our request is, in fact, God’s plan for us. Without the test of faith, we will not grow in our relationship with God. Test of faith is part of God’s pedagogy. It is how He trained His beloved ones. He tested Abraham, challenged Moses, and allowed David to endure persecution. It is our privileged to be tested by God.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

MENGANDALKAN TUHAN

MENGANDALKAN TUHAN

Rabu, 16 Agustus 2023

Matius 18:15-20

Tuhan Yesus menyatakan kepada para  murid-Nya untuk senantiasa menyadari bahwa mereka selalu dalam perlindungan-Nya. Dan ketika mereka berdoa dan memohon pertolongan, maka Tuhan hadir dan memberikan yang terbaik untuk mereka. “Sebab di mana dua atau tiga orang berkumpul dalam nama-Ku, di situ Aku ada di tengah-tengah mereka.”(Mat 18:20). Oleh karena itu, semua murid Kristus diajak untuk tidak takut dalam menghadapi realita hidup. Pertolongan datang dari Tuhan bagi mereka yang percaya kepada-Nya.

Dengan demikian, setiap murid Kristus yang mengadalkan-Nya dan berpegang pada Sabda Allah, akan bisa berjalan dengan penuh pengharapan karena imannya. “…Dan ajarlah mereka melakukan segala sesuatu yang telah Kuperintahkan kepadamu. Dan ketahuilah, Aku menyertai kamu senantiasa sampai kepada akhir zaman.” (Mat 28:20). Oleh karena itu, yang penting adalah menjaga relasi yang baik dengan Tuhan Yesus Kristus. Cara untuk menjaga relasi tersebut adalah menjaga dan merawat hidup doa dan berjuang untuk melakukan kehendak Allah. “Barangsiapa melakukan kehendak Allah, dialah saudara-Ku laki-laki, dialah saudara-Ku perempuan, dialah Ibu-Ku”(Mrk 3:35).

Didik, CM 

Elijah and the Lord God

Elijah and the Lord God

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time [A]

August 13, 2023

Matthew 14:22-33

1 Kgs 19:9-13a

Elijah is considered one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. His name means the Lord is God (a combination of ‘El’ and ‘YHWH’), and this speaks volumes of his mission to defend the worship of the true God, to oppose vehemently idolatry and to constantly remind Israelites of their covenant with their God. He courageously criticized even kings and queens. He was also renowned as a mighty prophet who performed many miracles.

One of his greatest showdowns is the contest on Mount Carmel (see 1 King 18). He challenged the prophets of Baal to call out to their god and ask it to pour down rain because the land had experienced a long drought. This trial is to prove who is the real God, the Lord or Baal. Around 400 prophets of Baal accepted the challenge and performed all sorts of rituals but to no avail. Elijah even mocked them. He said something like, “Your god must be asleep or going on vacation”. Then, when his turn came, he did a simple ritual and called the Lord God. His prayer was answered, and the rain suddenly fell from the sky. Feeling victorious, Elijah slaughtered all the Baal prophets.

This event enraged Jezebel, wife of Ahab, king of Israel, and as the avid support of Baal, she ordered that Elijah be seized and executed. Unexpectedly, Elijah, the mighty prophet of God and miracle worker, became afraid and ran away. Tired of running, he asked the Lord to take his life. Yet, the Lord sent His angel to feed him. He continued his journey to Mount Horeb in Sinai. There, he encountered the Lord, but not in the way he expected. The Lord was not in the great wind, earthquakes, or powerful fire but the calm whisper sound. Indeed, God was in the least expected place. However, after Elijah realized God’s presence and spoke with Him, Elijah was back on his feet and walked back to Israel to continue his missions.

The life of Elijah teaches us several precious lessons. Often like Elijah, we became afraid, intimidated and unsure of our lives and missions in the face of danger and suffering. We tend to forget the great things the Lord has done through our hands. We have this ‘spiritual amnesia’. We ignore the truth that the Lord who has been with us in the past is also the same Lord who will be with us in the future. Even trials and pains are part of His providence.

The second lesson is also precious. God can often be found in the places and times we do not expect. Surely, God is present in the Eucharist and our prayers. Yet, the Lord is hidden in the ordinary people we meet daily. Jesus is there in simple acts of kindness and love we receive. God is there when we can be faithful to our day-to-day commitment to our spouse and children. Despite our struggles, the Lord is there when we keep doing good things for others.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

JALAN UNTUK PERCAYA PADA TUHAN

JALAN UNTUK PERCAYA PADA TUHAN

Sabtu, 12 Agustus 2023



Matius 17:14-20

Tuhan Yesus meneguhkan kepada para murid-Nya untuk selalu berusaha memperdalam iman mereka, sebab dengan iman inilah mereka akan menerima dan mengalami kelimpahan Kasih Allah. “Ia berkata kepada mereka: “Karena kamu kurang percaya. Sebab Aku berkata kepadamu: Sesungguhnya sekiranya kamu mempunyai iman sebesar biji sesawi saja kamu dapat berkata kepada gunung ini: Pindah dari tempat ini ke sana, – maka gunung ini akan pindah, dan takkan ada yang mustahil bagimu.”(Mat 17:20). Dengan demikian iman adalah pintu masuk menuju pada Kerajaan Allah, sehingga mereka yang percaya kepada Allah Bapa, Putera dan Roh Kudus menerima anugerah keselamatan dari Allah.

Tantangan bagi masing-masing orang yang ingin memperdalam iman adalah muculnya keraguan di dalam dirinya sendiri. Ketika seseorang ragu maka muncul hambatan di dalam dirinya sehingga ia tidak bisa melihat secara spiritiual kehadiran Allah yang penuh kuasa dan murah hati. Oleh karena itu, hal yang pertama dilakukan untuk bisa percaya adalah tidak ragu lagi dan membiarkan Allah masuk didalam ruang hati dan pikiran manusia. “Sebab TUHAN Allah adalah matahari dan perisai; kasih dan kemuliaan Ia berikan; Ia tidak menahan kebaikan dari orang yang hidup tidak bercela. Ya TUHAN semesta alam, berbahagialah manusia yang percaya kepada-Mu!”(Mzm  84:12-13).

Oleh karena itu, iman adalah buah dari karya Roh Kudus sendiri yang telah disambut terlebih dahulu oleh manusia dengan membuka hati dan pikiran mereka untuk Allah. Kisah Tomas yang kurang percaya kepada Tuhan Yesus,  akhirnya bisa percaya dan melihat Tuhan setelah melepaskan semua keraguannya.  “Tomas menjawab Dia: “Ya Tuhanku dan Allahku!” Kata Yesus kepadanya: “Karena engkau telah melihat Aku, maka engkau percaya. Berbahagialah mereka yang tidak melihat, namun percaya.”(Yoh 20:28-29).

Didik, CM 

MENJADI PELAYAN TUHAN

MENJADI PELAYAN TUHAN

Jumat, 11 Agustus 2023



Matius 16:24-28

Yesus Kristus mendorong kepada para murid-Nya untuk selalu menyadari tujuan hidup mereka sebagai pelayan, mengikuti Guru dan Tuhan mereka. “….Sama seperti Anak Manusia datang bukan untuk dilayani, melainkan untuk melayani dan untuk memberikan nyawa-Nya menjadi tebusan bagi banyak orang.”(Mat 20:28). Dengan demikian sikap melayani menjadi sikap pokok yang perlu diperjuangkan dalam hidup mereka. Sikap tersebut bisa dimiliki dan dilaksanakan jika masing-masing orang mau terbuka hatinya  dan percaya kepada Kristus yang akan memberikan kekuatan dan damai kepada mereka.

Oleh karena itu sebagai wujud keterbukaan hati, para murid Kristus diundang untuk tidak lagi berfokus pada diri sendiri, melainkan berfokus kepada pelaksanaan kehedak Allah dengan berani menyangkal diri untuk bisa memberikan waktu dan perhatian akan relasi yang dekat dengan Kristus dan mendengarkan Sabda-Nya. “Lalu Yesus berkata kepada murid-murid-Nya: “Setiap orang yang mau mengikut Aku, ia harus menyangkal dirinya, memikul salibnya dan mengikut Aku.:(Mat 16:24)

Dengan demikian,  menjadi murid Kristus tidak berhenti pada pencapaikan-pencapaikan akan hal-hal profan/dunia, namun yang peting juga adalah menjadikan diri mereka sebagai pelayan yang melayani kepentingan / kehendak Allah  agar Kerajaan damai-Nya hadir dalam kehidupan umat manusia. “Sebab Kerajaan Allah bukanlah soal makanan dan minuman, tetapi soal kebenaran, damai sejahtera dan sukacita oleh Roh Kudus.”(Roma 14:17).

Didik, CM

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