Dec 14 2020

First reading Numbers 24:2-7,15-17

The oracles of Balaam

Raising his eyes Balaam saw Israel, encamped by tribes; the spirit of God came on him and he declaimed his poem. He said:

‘The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,

the oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes,

the oracle of one who hears the word of God.

He sees what Shaddai makes him see,

receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.

How fair are your tents, O Jacob!

How fair your dwellings, Israel!

Like valleys that stretch afar,

like gardens by the banks of a river,

like aloes planted by the Lord,

like cedars beside the waters!

A hero arises from their stock,

he reigns over countless peoples.

His king is greater than Agag,

his majesty is exalted.’

Then Balaam declaimed his poem again. He said:

‘The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,

the oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes,

the oracle of one who hears the word of God,

of one who knows the knowledge of the Most High.

He sees what Shaddai makes him see,

receives the divine answer, and his eyes are opened.

I see him – but not in the present,

I behold him – but not close at hand:

a star from Jacob takes the leadership,

a sceptre arises from Israel.’

Responsorial Psalm 24(25):4-6,7a-9

Lord, make me know your ways.

Lord, make me know your ways.

Lord, teach me your paths.

Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:

for you are God my saviour.

In you I hope all day long

because of your goodness, O Lord.

Remember your mercy, Lord,

and the love you have shown from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth.

In your love remember me.

The Lord is good and upright.

He shows the path to those who stray,

He guides the humble in the right path,

He teaches his way to the poor.

Gospel Matthew 21:23-27

‘I will not tell you my authority for acting like this’

Jesus had gone into the Temple and was teaching, when the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him and said, ‘What authority have you for acting like this? And who gave you this authority?’ ‘And I’ replied Jesus ‘will ask you a question, only one; if you tell me the answer to it, I will then tell you my authority for acting like this. John’s baptism: where did it come from: heaven or man?’ And they argued it out this way among themselves, ‘If we say from heaven, he will retort, “Then why did you refuse to believe him?”; but if we say from man, we have the people to fear, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ So their reply to Jesus was, ‘We do not know.’ And he retorted, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this.’

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14th December 2020 Monday 3rd Week of Advent – John of the Cross.

Reflection
Numbers 24: 2-7, 15-17a, Matthew 21: 23-27

“True authority”
Jewish religious leaders asked Jesus, “What authority have you for acting like this and teaching in the temple?” True authority is not to exercise power over others, rather it is to empower others so that they can realise their full potential. Jesus’ authority came from the power of love that He had for others. His words and actions led each person to become who they were meant to be and to live their lives to the fullest. True authority is rooted in love that seeks for the good of others.

Today, each of us exercise authority too- as parents, aunts/uncles, employers, friends, leaders in parishes. How do we exercise authority?

Questions for reflection:
Do I use my authority to control others so as to have power over them? Or do I use my authority to serve and not to be served, to love and not to be loved?

14 hb Disember 2020 Hari Isnin Adven Ke – 3 – St. Yohanes dari Salib

Renungan
Bilangan 24: 2-7, 15-17a,
Matius 21: 23-27

“Kuasa sebenar”
Para pemimpin agama Yahudi bertanya kepada Yesus, “Apakah kuasa yang kamu miliki untuk bertindak seperti ini dan mengajar di rumah Ibadat?” Kuasa sebenar bukanlah untuk menunjukkan kekuasaan yang dimiliki ke atas orang lain, sebaliknya untuk memberi kekuatan kepada mereka agar mereka menyedari potensi diri mereka yang sebenar. Kuasa Yesus datang dari kuasa kasih yang dimilikiNya terhadap orang lain. Kata-kata dan perbuatan-Nya mendorong setiap orang untuk bertumbuh menjadi diri mereka yang sebenar dan menjalani hidup mereka sepenuhnya. Kuasa sebenar berakar dalam kasih yang mencari kebaikan orang lain.
Hari ini kita masing-masing dapat menjalankan kuasa yang kita miliki – sebagai ibubapa, ibu saudara/bapa saudara, majikan, rakan-rakan, pemimpin di Paroki. Bagaimanakah kita menjalankan kuasa yang kita miliki?

Soalan Renungan: :
Adakah saya menggunakan kuasa yang ada pada saya untuk mengawal orang lain sehingga saya berkuasa ke atas mereka? Atau adakah saya menggunakan kuasa saya untuk melayani dan bukan dilayani, mencintai dan bukan untuk dicintai?

14 Disember 2020, Orou Kasaa’ Minggu’ Adven Katalu, John of the Cross

Untaban 24:2-7, 15-17a, Matius 21:23-27

Kuasa’ ondo’ motopot
Pangkuot Tingganai imam Jaudi ri Jisus, “Atan kia ra kuasa’ Muno mambaal ragitio am mangila’ giu’ ra Baloi Tuhan?” Kuasa’ ondo’ motopot sala’ ka kuasa’ ondo’ salingapuon ulun bokon, kaa’ sotopot no koson mangiou ra ulun bokon maa’ raginio makaliman ilo ra ilo no tojojo maaya’ makaapu. Kuasa’ ri Jisus matong intor ra kuasa’ ru togom ondo’ mokoondo’ Riso ra pataakon ra ulun bokon. Ragu am ondo’ baalon Nano makapaningganai ra moonong ulun mampasauk ra ilo noyo tojojo sotopot no am tojojo mototop kaayagan nilo. Kuasa’ ondo’ motopot iono puun ru togom ondo’ mauyum ra ondo’ moonsoi ra ulun bokon.
Orou raiti’, moonong itakau makasalingapu ra kuasa’ – matuo, kaminan/kamaman, tingganai ru ulun mangandoi, rangan-rangan, tingganai-tingganai ru paroki. Ati kulaan kia salingapuon takau kuasa’?

Pangkuatan ra paguangin:
1) Gunaan ku kia kuasa’ koson salingapuon ulun bokon maa’ raginio makuasa’ boo ilo? Kapoam gunaan ku kia kuasa’ koson mangandoi am sala’ kandayin, motogom sala’ ka tagamin?

14-12-2020
Hari Satu Minggu Advent Ka-3 – St John ari Regang.

Renungan
Penyampau 24:2-7,15-17a;
Matthew 21:23-27

“Kuasa ti bendar.”
Pemesai Pengarap Judah nanya Jesus, “Kuasa apa kena Nuan ngereja utai tu, lalu sapa meri Nuan kuasa nya?” kuasa ti bendar ukai dikena atas orang bukai, tang dikena ngeringka orang bukak ngambi sida ulih ngelala penau sida. Kuasa Jesus datai ari kuasa pengerindu ti dipandang Iya ngagai mensia mayuh. Jako enggau kereja Iya mai genap iko orang nyadi baka ti patut ba sida lalu diau dalam pengidup ti belipat-lipat. Kuasa ti amat tumbuh ari pengerindu ti begiga ka pemadas orang bukai. Saritu genap iko kitai bekena ka kuasa tu mega – ti nyadi apai indai, pengerusi, kaban, pemesai dalam raban Gerija. Kati kitai bekena ka kuasa kitai?

Bisi aku ngena kuasa aku atas orang bukai ngambi ngalah ka sida? Tauka bisi aku ngena kuasa kena mela ukai diintu orang, rindu ukai dikerindu?