Third Sunday of Lent [A]
March 12, 2023
John 4:5-42

For the third Sunday of Lent, the Church has selected for us the story of Samaritan woman from the Gospel of John. This story does not only appear in the current liturgical year (Year A), but also other years (Year B and C). Why does the Church select this reading for the season of Lent? What makes it very special that every year we are invited to listen and reflect on the story?

The story of the Samaritan woman is a story of repentance. Thus, it is fitting for the season of Lent. Let us go deeper into the story. John the evangelist does not give us the name of this woman as well as her other details, but there is a particular information that stands out. The woman had five husbands, and presently, is living with another man. Again, we don’t have details on this issue. It seems that the woman has lived through cycle of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. For unknown reason, her former husbands kept dismissing her (see Deu 24). Perhaps, there were serious marital issues. Perhaps, there were problems with her personalities as well as her husbands’ characters, that rendered them unable to live in a permanent and healthy relationship. Again, we are not sure, but we may say that she has been through hell, and the experience was deeply painful and traumatic, to the point that she decided to live with a man without a proper marriage. At the same time, she had to avoid her people because of shame, and run away from her God.

At first, to hear that this woman had five marriages sounds unbelievable. Yet, this is not totally impossible. However, what more important is that the Samaritan woman has become a reflection of some of us, or some people close to us. Before I began my study in Rome, I served as an assistant parish priest in Surabaya, Indonesia. Being in the parish of a big city, my ministry was inevitably tied to Catholic marriages and families. I am fortunate that I was given the opportunity to solemnize more than fifty marriages. Yet, unfortunately, I also encountered many couples as they sought help facing their marital problems. As I was listening to their stories, I could not but feel the pain, frustration and sometimes anger. The consequences are deeply painful and traumatic: relationships are fractured, families are broken, and children are suffering.

Fortunately, the story of Samaritan woman does not end in a tragedy. Jesus unexpectedly waited for her and mercifully offered her the forgiveness and a new life. Though she was initially hesitated, she confessed her sins and found the true Messiah. We are not told what happened exactly to her life, but we can assume that she changed her life because she had the new-born courage to face her own people and proclaim Jesus.

As I accompany men and women who are struggling with their marriages, things are tough and painful, but not hopeless. Some couples eventually reconciled, but there are some who face more difficult situations. Yet, despite their challenging situations, many refuse to fall into sinful life, but choose to grow in holiness. I honored to encounter some of them. Despite being abandoned by their spouses, they refuse to retaliate with violence. They also resiste the temptation to live with another man or woman outside of marriage but committed to rise their children alone. They have all the right to become angry and disappointed with God because of their conditions, but they did not allow negative emotions to control them. More remarkably, they decided to serve also in the Church.

Rome
Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

2nd Sunday of Lent [A]
March 5, 2023
Matthew 17:1-9

Lenten Season is characterized with acts of penance as well as intensified spiritual exercises like fasting and almsgiving. One of the purposes of these activities is to strengthen our spiritual muscles against the weaknesses of the soul or ‘concupiscence’, that is a tendency to fall into sins due to our wounded nature. Yet, why do still have this weakness if we have been redeemed? St. Paul in his letter to Timothy emphatically says, “… the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Tim 1:10).”

I must admit that we are dealing with mystery of faith. Like other mysteries, the reality of redemption as well as the presence of concupiscence are a reality, but the reasons behind these realities remain largely hidden because these truths are greater than our minds’ capacity. However, it does not mean that we are clueless. Through her theologians and saints, the Church has reflected on the matter for two thousand years, and taught that the consequences for nature, weakened and inclined to evil, persist in man and summon him to spiritual battle (CCC 405).

The presence of concupiscence opens up an opportunity for us to exercise the virtues and to grow in holiness through the practice of spiritual exercises. Thus, even though concupiscence remains after baptism, it is not an insurmountable obstacle to living a holy life, and in fact make our journey a lot more meaningful. With the help of God’s grace, we can resist their disordered desires and grow in holiness.

In today’s gospel, we hear that Jesus was transfigured in the mountain. For Peter, John and James, this was an ecstatic experience overflowing with joy. They did not want to lose this elating experience, and thus, Peter proposed to build tents so that they could stay longer up on the mountain. But, Jesus did not stay long in His divine state, but summoned his disciples to go down and follow Him. Where? After transfiguration, Jesus set His eyes to Jerusalem where His suffering and death awaited. Jesus understood well, ‘there is no resurrection without the cross.’ Concupiscence is one of our crosses here on earth, and it becomes a means to holiness.

One good friend of mine once asked me, “Why did God allow concupiscence to remain in our soul? It could have been better and easier for us if concupiscence had been removed during baptism.” The point was clearly taken. I can imagine that without concupiscence, I would not have to deal with many temptations. Life would be much easier, and the world would be a better place because people would no longer commit evil things out of selfish interests. However, our first parents still sinned even without concupiscence. The absence of concupiscence does not automatically prevent us from falling into sin. In fact, the moment we sin out of our total freedom and without the influence of concupiscence, we will fall extremely hard, just like Adam and Eve. Perhaps to prevent us from experiencing what our first parents had suffered, God allows concupiscence to remain.

Eventually, we still face the mystery, but we believe that even the presence of concupiscence is ultimately for our good.

Rome
Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

1st Sunday of Lent [A]
February 26, 2023
Matthew 4:1-11

We are now on the first Sunday of Lent. For some of us, the Lenten season is just another routine. We abstain from meat or other things that bring us comfort and fast at least twice a year (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday). We are also asked to spend more time in prayer and encouraged to give more alms. The liturgical color and atmosphere also change in our churches. And in many parishes, confessions are made available. Some of us may not really understand why we must do these things, but since we are Catholics and others are practicing it, we do it too. Some of us may be aware of the reason behind these spiritual exercises because we listen to the catechesis given by the priests or lay catechesis, or explanations given on social media. As a priest, I take every opportunity to educate the faithful on this beautiful season (check also my catechesis and reflections in previous years). Yet, we still wonder why we have to keep doing this every year.

The answer rests on our wounded nature. Speaking about our nature, we cannot but go back to our first parents Adam and Eve. In our first reading, we discover how Adam and Eve were created from the dust of the earth and received the breath of life. Not only that, God placed them in the garden close to Himself. This becomes a symbol that they lived in harmony with God, nature, and themselves. This is the state of original grace. Yet, despite all the privileges, Adam and Eve, the dirt of the earth, dared to defy the Lord of the universe. Truly, their sin merited death. God was merciful, prevented total death, and gave a second chance for man and woman. Unfortunately, sin has wounded their souls and destroyed their original friendship with God. The wounded nature is now weak to temptations and prone to commit more sins.

Regrettably, Adam is not just an isolated individual. He is also the head of humanity. Thus, St. Paul, in his letter to the Romans (our second reading), expressed the truth that the effects of Adam’s sin flow to all humanity. “Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned (Rom 5:12).” When we are conceived, we receive a wounded human nature. We are in a state far from God. Our tradition calls this original sin.

However, we are not doomed to hopelessness. St. Paul, also in the same letter, preached the good news that Jesus has saved us and brought us back into the friendship of God, the state of grace. “For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many (Rom 5:15).”

Then, the question remains: ‘If we are already redeemed, why must we do intensive spiritual exercises in the Lenten season?’ Yes, we have been redeemed, but our souls retain some weaknesses due to the effects of original sin. We still have this tendency to commit sin and disorder. Thus, to strengthen our spiritual muscles against the flesh, the world, and the devil, Jesus gives us these three tips: fast, intensive prayer, and almsgiving. (For why these three actions, see my last year’s reflection.)

Yet, one question remains: ‘Why did God allow concupiscence to remain in our souls despite the work of redemption?’ Wait for the answer next Sunday!

Rome
Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time [A]
February 19, 2023
Matthew 5:38-48

This Sunday, we encounter one of the most controversial of Jesus’ moral teachings. Because of these teachings, we, Christians, are often accused as being weak, stupid, and submissive in face of evil. Yet at the same time, when we try to fight for justice, our opponents readily utilize these verses against us. They accuse us as not being compassionate, loving and forgiving. So, how do we understand this? Does it mean that a wife simply must endure her abuse husband? Does it mean we do close our eyes to evil and injustice around us?
Jesus opens His teaching with quoting the Law of Moses, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (see Exo 21:24).” For modern ears, this law sounds cruel and even barbaric, but the real purpose of this law is to prevent excessive retaliation. When someone stole a lamb, he shall return a lamb or its equivalent. His enemies cannot demand his entire house in place of a lamb. The law is to promote sense of justice, to curb unnecessary violence, and escalation.
Then, Jesus transforms this law of Moses by pronouncing a new teaching, “do not resist evil!” For Jesus, we must go beyond seeking an equal retribution. But, does it mean we have to helplessly become a punching bag?
If we look deeper into the Old Testament, we will discover similar teachings like Proverbs 24:29, “Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me.” (check also Isa 50:6). Thus, Jesus’ teaching to resist no evil is not unique to Jesus. So, does Jesus truly transform the Law of Moses then?
Jesus’ ground-breaking teaching is not on passively receiving evil, but rather actively conquering evil with goodness. We can understand this if we look carefully Jesus’ examples. “If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well (Mat 5:40).” Tunic (Greek: χιτών, chiton) is usually a simple cloth and worn to cover the body, while clock (Greek: ἱμάτιον, himation) is more expensive garment, and put over the tunic. Thus, Jesus is saying that if someone demands your simple cloth, do not only give the ordinary one, but also the more precious garment. The action will surely puzzle many people, but it also shows our sincerity and effort to end enmity, as well as open the possibility of reconciliation and even friendship.
The real challenge is how to apply Jesus’ teaching in our daily lives. I must admit there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The application depends on your context and our prudence. One good example will be St. John Paul II and Ali Agca. On May 13, 1981, he attempted to assassinate the Pope. He shot several times and wounded the holy man. Miraculously, the Pope escaped death, and survived the evil attempt. Ali was arrested and sentenced to prison. What did Pope John Paul II do to Ali? He forgave Ali and even visited him in prison. The act was daring enough, because Ali might attack the Pope, and kill him for sure. Yet, the meeting was cordial, as both shook hands. Yes, Ali was forgiven, but, does it mean Ali can immediately walk out of prison? Not at all, Ali served his imprisonment for twenty years, because it is justice, but at the same time, the reconciliation takes place.
Being followers of Jesus is truly tough because we do not only look for justice, but also we need to bring our enemies closer to Jesus. Yet, with God’s grace, this is made possible.

Rome
Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 12, 2023
Matthew 5:17-37

Having heard Jesus’ teachings on the keys to happiness (the Beatitudes) and our identities as the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World, we are now delving into the heart of Jesus’ moral teachings. Here, Jesus makes it clear that He has come not to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfil them. Jesus’ teachings are not at odds with the Old Testament, but instead perfect and transform it. Yet, why does Jesus have to transform it?

The first reason is that many laws in the Old Testament were given by God to consecrate and separate the Israelites as a holy nation for the Lord alone. The ancient Israelites were living among the gentiles who worshiped many gods, and lived immoral conducts. The God of Israel is the only true God, and He wanted the Israelites to worship Him alone and live according to His true goodness. Thus, God gave the Ten Commandments, forbidding the worship of other gods (idols) and prohibiting behaviours such as murder, adultery, theft, and other evil practices that were common among the gentiles.

However, God’s laws do not only about morality, but also various details in liturgical life (for example, the Book of Leviticus) and also civil conducts (for example, the Book of Deuteronomy). God’s laws and regulations in the Old Testament are numerous and details. Why are so many rules?

One of the fundamental reasons is the hardness of the hearts. The formation of Israelites as the people of God was proven to be tough process. As they lapsed into previous idolatrous and sinful lifestyles, God placed new and stricter laws. At the same time, God allowed certain concessions like permitting divorce (Deu 24:1-4).

Jesus understands the true purpose behind his Father’s giving of the Law and why the Israelites were given so many laws – because of the hardness of their hearts. Jesus is well aware that without proper heart formation, an increase in rules will be ineffective. Thus, Jesus says, “For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander (Mat 15:19).” Laws and regulations are generally good because they guide us in doing something properly. They also protect us from harms, as well as give clarity in midst of confusion. Yet, no matter how good the laws are, as long as the hearts are hard, the men will always find a way to bend the laws.

So how can we have a renewed and humble hearts? The first and the most important factor is the grace of God. Only God’s grace can make our stony hearts into a living and new hearts (see Eze 36:26). This is why sacramental life is truly fundamental, especially through the participation of the holy Eucharist every Sunday (even better, every day) and regular confessions.

Secondly, hearts are formed by virtues, and virtue is no other than a good habit. Forming good habits can be difficult, but we can always begin with simple, consistent steps. Instead of saying bad words when we are angry, we can pause and choose another better alternative, like saying prayers. We can also explore with other habits.

Lastly, our hearts should be guided by our right reasons. It is wise to seek to understand the reasons behind the laws we follow. Knowing that laws (especially the Laws of God) are there for our goodness make us docile to follow them. God is the perfect Father and He made His Laws for the true maturity of His children.

“O Lord, create a pure and humble hearts in me!”

Rome
Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP