Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday after Epiphany of the Lord, January 9th, 2026

Delivered by Evelyn from the Parish of Holy Spirit in the Archdiocese of Singapore, Indonesia. 1 John 5: 5-13; Rs psalm 147: 12-13.14-15.19-20; Luke 5: 12-16.OVERCOMING THE WORLD The title for ourmeditation today is: Overcoming the World. There was a grade 3 elementaryschool boy proudly said to his mother: "Mommy, I can now climb mangoe treeand pick up ripe fruits." Usually the child only looked with envy at thebig and old people who climb and pick up the fruits. He really wanted to do thesame, but still felt scared. He felt very happy when climbing the tree andpicking up the fruits himself. Once when he was not seen by anyone, he climbedand made it to the top. He became so happy with that experience. The child's simpleexperience is an example of the ability to overcome the world. In this worldthere are various kinds of difficulties such as ignorance, laziness, boredom,crime, sickness, pain, lies and so forth. The elementary school child has takenat least one step forward, which is to win against fear and lack of confidence.That little experience opens us up to a horizon of opportunity and experienceto make progress in overcoming difficulties, so that our lives can passchallenges and obstacles, and finally achieving the expected goals. God actually has aplan to defeat the world, that is, since humanity fell into sin for the firsttime. The consequence of which is that the entire world, including humanpersons, is exposed to the virus of sin. God's plan is called the plan ofsalvation. The realization of the plan is evident, namely the incarnationmarked by the great event of the birth of Jesus Christ, which we have justcelebrated His anniversary. This basic and great background has always been theguideline for our every effort or work in overcoming the world. Each of us orour families and communities have received the power of mission from JesusChrist to overcome the world. Jesus convinces us to be able to overcome theworld as He constantly does. It is said clearly bythe first letter of St. John of today's first reading, that "The one whoconquers the world is he who believes in Jesus as the Son of God". JesusHimself has proven it in His every word and deed, for example He did by terminatingleprosy, and so the sick persson became clean. When a school principal managedto discipline some of his teachers who broke the rules, he defeated the worldof cheating at school by certain indiscilinary teachers. A journalist defeatsthe flow of lies that blow strongly done by some members of the society, byrevealing the truth of an event to be published and made people able to see thefact. Each of us is able toovercome the world through our works and professions, and what is really neededis our will and its implementation. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O most loving God, may we increasingly be honest and sincere in our wordsand actions to do your will. Our Father who art in heaven... In the name of theFather ...