valentinus bayuhadi ruseno – Page 37 – indonesian catholic online evangelization

Vocations

May 7, 2022 Romo Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno OP

4th Sunday of Easter [C]

May 8, 2022

John 10:27-30

The fourth Sunday of Easter is famously called ‘the Good Shepherd Sunday’. This reason is that the Gospel is always taken from John chapter 10, and John 10 speaks of Jesus who introduces Himself as the Good Shepherd. This Sunday is also dedicated as ‘Vocations Sunday’. This tradition starts in 1964 when Pope Paul VI instituted the fourth Sunday of Easter as ‘the World Day of Prayer for vocations.’ This is because, in today’s Gospel, we listen, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me [John 10:27].”

In the Catholic Church, we understand vocation as the Good Shepherd’s calling to each one of us to follow Him. Thus, the primary vocation is to follow Jesus, stay with Him, and live in Him. In essence, our universal vocation is holiness.

Yet, through the centuries, the Church has recognized several authentic manifestations of this fundamental vocation. The biggest two categories are the laypeople and the clergy. The easiest way to distinguish the two is the sacred ordinations. After the ordination, a man is no longer a layperson, but a member of the clergy. They are three kinds of ordained ministers: the deacons, the priests, and the bishops. The Church teaches that “The ministerial priesthood is a means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church [CCC 1547].” The ordained ministers are called to sanctify the people of God by offering the sacraments and teaching the truth of faith.

The second group is the laypeople, and this is the great majority of the Church’s members. Lay people are called to sanctify their lives, families, and societies. Particular to lay people is the vocation to married life and family. In marriage, a husband and a wife become holy when they love each other totally and radically in Christ. Like Christ who offers Himself up for the sake of the Church, the couple is called to give themselves entirely to each other. Meanwhile, parents’ vocation is to sanctify their children. They do not only give their children nutritious food, proper clothing, a strong house, and high-quality education, but also true faith and right morality. Perhaps, not all parents can explain well the faith, but they can always lead through upright examples and genuine witnessing.

Aside from these two grand categories, the Church also has a special vocation. These are people who professed vows. Traditionally, there are three vows: obedience, chastity, and poverty. When men and women make their vows, they become ‘a religious’ and usually they stay together in a community. If a priest has vowed, he will be a religious priest. Meanwhile, a priest without vows is called a diocesan priest because he attaches himself to a particular diocese. When a woman professes vows, she becomes a religious woman or ‘religious sister’. When a layman possesses vows, he turns to be a religious man or ‘religious brother’. With their vows, they dedicate themselves fully to God and for God’s affairs [see 1 Cor 7:32]

How do you know that you are called to a priest or a lay, as a religious sister, or as a married woman? There are no fixed answers for this, but we can use three easy steps.

The first one is recognizing our desire. A simple wish and attraction to a priestly life or religious life is already a seed God planted in us. Don’t waste it!

The second step is to know deeper and weigh different options in prayer. We look for more information and ask people who are living their lives. We may discover different yet interesting options. We also bring this effort in prayer and ask the Lord to guide our decision.

The third and final phase is to decide and commit fully. All vocations are good and ways to holiness. Thus, there is no wrong vocation, yet we can ruin it when we do not give our all to this vocation. It only bears fruits abundantly when we faithfully nurture and love our chosen vocation.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Do You Love Me?

April 30, 2022 Romo Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno OP

3rd Sunday of Easter [C]
John 21:1-19
May 1, 2022

Simon Peter is a total mess. He is impulsive and even perhaps explosive. One time, he tried to remind his Master and thought he was better than Jesus, but immediately, Jesus scolded him and even told him, “get behind me Satan.” At the Gethsemane, Jesus told His disciples that they would desert Him, Simon once again was full of confidence, and said, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” Jesus famously prophesied that Peter would eventually deny Him. Simon immediately countered, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you” [Mat 26:31-35]

Unfortunately, Peter was nothing but empty words and promises. When Jesus was arrested and detained in the high priest’s house, Peter was near the charcoal fire and tried to warm himself on a chilling night. While Jesus was thrown into the dungeon, Simon only care about himself and conveniently refused to acknowledge his identity as Jesus’ disciple. When the rooster crowed, Simon remembered what Jesus has said, and he went away and wept bitterly. Peter’s pride was shattered into pieces, and he must have realized that he was nothing but a big failure.

Indeed, Peter could have ended as a total mess, yet Jesus did not give up on him. In Galilee, Peter once again saw his Risen Master, and Jesus had prepared a charcoal fire and fish and bread. Seeing this charcoal, Peter was brought back to that moment he denied the Lord. Peter had chosen his warm and comfort zone in exchange for the Lord. Then, the Lord asked Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” John the evangelist informs us that Jesus is using the word ‘agape’, a higher and sacrificial love. This question shook Simon’s heart. Peter remembered how he used to say ‘I will sacrifice my life for Jesus’, but it was nothing but empty words. Now, Jesus demanded sacrificial love from Peter. Humbled by his failure, the best answer Simon could give is, ‘You know, I love you, Lord.” Here, Peter used the word ‘filia,’ a friendship friend.

Once again, Jesus demanded a total and radical love. For the second time, Peter could only offer ‘filia’. Simon did not want to repeat the same prideful mistake and knew at that moment, that Simon could only love Jesus as a friend. However, in the third question, Jesus made a dramatic change. Jesus did not longer demand sacrificial love, but rather accommodate Simon’s ability. Jesus asks, ‘do you love as a friend?’ Peter could not contain himself and was sorrowful. Jesus understood Peter’s heart and capacity and forgave and accepted Simon the way he was. Yet, that’s not the end of the story. Simon’s love for Jesus must grow, and the time would come when Peter would love Jesus radically and give himself up for Jesus.

The story of Peter is our story as well. Our lives have been a mess, but Jesus does not give up on us. And, when we are afraid to love Him, Jesus accepts us still. He journeys with us and enables us to grow in love, until the time we can say, “You know Lord, I love you!”

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Mercy Conquers All

April 23, 2022 Romo Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno OP

Second Sunday of Easter [C]

April 24, 2022

John 20:19-31

Pope John Paul II has declared the Second Easter Sunday as the Divine Mercy Sunday. On April 30, 2000, the declaration took place when John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina Kowalski. Since then, the devotion to the Divine Mercy has grown exponentially worldwide. Nowadays, many of us do not only pray the angelus prayer, but every three in the afternoon, the hour of Jesus’ death, recite the prayer of divine mercy. More and more people make divine mercy chaplet as daily devotion aside from the rosary. Many communities gather together and organize novena to the Divine Mercy. But, do you know what mercy is? And, why does it has to be the 2nd Sunday of Easter?

The Oxford dictionary gives us an exciting definition of mercy: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. A story may illustrate this definition of mercy. During one of the Napoleonic wars, one of the young French soldiers deserted the army and fled the battlefield. Unfortunately, he got captured. Knowing that his son would be executed, the mother rushed to see Napoleon. She said to the general, “have mercy on my son!” Napoleon immediately replied, “your son’s crime is so heinous. Justice demands his death, and he does not deserve mercy.” The mother then answered, “It is not mercy if he deserves it!”.

Let’s go back to the Biblical Hebrew language. Mercy is related to the word ‘rahamim,’ which is rooted in the word ‘Rahim’ meaning ‘womb.’ Thus, ‘rahamim’ implies a mother’s feelings and attitude toward her children. We know that we have hurt our mothers too often if we try to reflect on our lives and our relationship with our mothers. Since we live in their wombs until we grow to adulthood, we give them countless headaches and heartaches. Yet, despite the terrible things we have done, our good mothers keep accepting and loving us as their children.

Then, why the second Sunday of Easter? This Sunday, the Church always selects the story of resurrection from John, the evangelist. There are some exciting details. The disciples locked themselves in the room because of fear of the Jews. Yet, more than fearing the Jewish authorities, they dreaded Jesus, who returned and took His vengeance. Yet, Jesus came not to bring punishment but forgiveness. Thus, the first thing He said was ‘Peace’! They have peace because Jesus, who has the power to inflict punishment, decides to have mercy on them.

Yet, Jesus does not stop there. He also breathed the Holy Spirit and gave them the divine authority to forgive sins. To teach the true meaning of mercy and forgiveness, Jesus has to suffer the cross, die, and get buried. Jesus teaches them that the worst things may fall upon Jesus, but this hatred, wrath, and vengeance will not have the last say.

We deserve death and hell with so many sins we have committed, but the resurrection points to us that however terrible we treat Jesus, mercy will always triumph. His forgiveness is always ready to embrace us. We need to do one thing: beg for that mercy.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno,OP

Jesus Resurrected?

April 16, 2022 Romo Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno OP

Easter Sunday [C]

John 20:1-9

April 17, 2022

Jesus has risen! Alleluia! This is the foundation of our faith and our salvation. We know for sure that what Jesus said and what He did for us are true. Death is conquered, and the darkness’ power is decisively defeated.

But, what is the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection? The answer is the empty tomb.

Yet, how do we know for sure that Jesus has indeed risen from the dead? Is an empty tomb enough evidence for His resurrection? Is there a possibility that Jesus’ body was stolen, or Jesus was still alive and was able to escape? Let’s check whether these arguments can hold water.

Firstly, His disciples came at night and stole their master’s body. Then they spread the rumor that Jesus has risen from the dead. At first, this sounds possible, but after closer examinations, we realize that Roman soldiers guarded the tomb. A bunch of fishermen was not just a match for the professional army. At the same time, the disciples were in complete disarray after their master was captured and crucified.

Secondly, the one crucified was not Jesus, which is a case of mistaken identity. This argument is not attainable. Judah played an essential role in ensuring that the one arrested was Jesus, not someone else. Jesus’ trial was done in public, and thus, it was easy to recognize whether the person was Jesus. Plus, the mother and other disciples of Jesus were also present during the crucifixion, and they recognized the one on the cross was Jesus.

Thirdly, Jesus was not dead, and He was able to find His way out of the tomb. This argument is implausible. Jesus was tortured severely and crucified. A soldier pierced His side to verify His death, which alone could deal a mortal blow. Just in case Jesus survived all these ordeals, the tomb would seal Jesus inside, and without proper ventilation and immediate treatment, Jesus would suffocate and die.

Aside from these counterarguments, had Jesus’ resurrection been a lie, it would eventually die down. Many Jewish people believed in the resurrection of the dead, but it will occur at the end of time, not during their lifetime. The Greeks and the Romans thought the idea of resurrection silly. Yet, Jesus’ disciples would gladly die for this truth. Even after horrific forms of torture, they would not give up their belief in the resurrection because it is simply the truth.

Another interesting detail is that the first witnesses of the empty tomb are women. In ancient Jewish society, women’s testimony was not honored. The evangelists could have altered the women’s witnesses with more credible male counterparts. Yet, they did not do that because they could not change the truth that the women were indeed the witnesses of the empty tomb.

There is no other fitting explanation than the resurrection. Jesus has risen, and our faith is not in vain. We have been redeemed, and we know that is true. We rejoice and celebrate for this Jesus’ victory over death.
Blessed Easter!!!

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

The Mother at the Foot of the Cross

April 15, 2022 Romo Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno OP

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion [C]

April 15, 2022

John 18:1—19:42

In the Gospel of John, Mary, the mother of Jesus, appears only twice. Yet, despite her lack of screentime, she involves in the two most crucial moments in Jesus’ life: the first Miracle at Wedding at Cana and the Crucifixion. In Cana, Mary actively serves as the initiator and catalyst of Jesus’ sign. In the Cross, Mary perseveringly follows Jesus to the end. We can say that Mary is indeed a faithful and loving mother of Jesus. A good mother accompanies her children in the most critical moments of their lives and gives needed encouragement and assurance to allow their children to succeed.

The second interesting thing is that she is never called Mary in the Gospel of John. Jesus constantly calls her ‘woman.’ Calling someone ‘woman’ does not mean disrespect in the time of Jesus, but no son calls his mother ‘woman.’ In fact, Jesus calls Mary ‘woman’ twice, both in Cana and in the Crucifixion. It is somewhat puzzling for us modern readers, but not for the original readers of John. Jesus recognizes that Mary is the new Eve. If we go back a little to the garden of Eden, Eve was the name after she fell from grace. Before the Fall, Eve was addressed as the woman.

Like the old Eve who initiated the Fall of humanity, Mary, the new Eve, collaborated in the first miracle of Jesus. Unlike the old Eve who, together with Adam, disobeyed God’s will, Mary, the new Eve, together with Jesus, obeyed the Father’s will. Unlike the old Even, who with Adam brought sins and death, Mary, in union with Jesus, brought salvation and peace.

The third and most extraordinary fact is that Mary indeed was Jesus in these darkest hours. Crucifixion is one of the cruelest and most humiliating ways to kill people. People on the cross are treated worse than animals. Jesus was tortured, forced to carry a heavy wooden beam, nailed to the cross, hung naked, and died an agonizing and slow death. No mother would have the necessary strength to witness the Crucifixion happen to her Son. Yet, Mary was there near the cross of her Son. And what even remarkable is that Mary neither fainted nor screamed. She stood firm near the cross. She did not passively accept her fate but actively made every effort to support her Son to pass through this darkest hour.

Jesus knew well how faithful and strong His mother was. Thus, in his dying breath, Jesus entrusted Mary to His beloved disciple and the disciple to His mother. This beloved disciple is John, but he symbolizes every disciple whom Jesus loved. The last thing Jesus did before He died was to care for His mother. Yet, more than caring for His mother, Jesus knew that if Mary could stand before Jesus’ cross, she would also stand before our crosses. After entrusting His mother, Jesus drank the wine and said, ‘It is finished.’ His mission is accomplished after He gave His mother for us.