Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the second week of Advent, December 12, 2025

Delivered by Monika Kimberly from the Parish of Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. Isaiah 48: 17-19; Rs psalm 1: 1-2.3.4.6; Matthew 11: 16-19.IN HARMONY, INCOMPANY, AND IN LINE The title for ourmeditation today is: In Harmony, In Company, and In Line. A young child wasinvited by his father to learn to walk on the trail. His father held the littleone's hand, guiding him slowly. When the child followed in his father'sfootsteps—in harmony, in company, and in line—they arrived at their destinationsafely, even enjoying the journey. But if the child withdrew, resisted, or walkedin the other direction, he might stumble or got lost. His father remainedloving, but the journey became difficult.  So is the same with God:His love always extends first. The question is, are we willing to walk withHim? When we choose to be obedient, we find that God's will always leads to joyand salvation. God presents the world and the entire journey of human life inthe rhythm of unbroken love. He provides everything in abundance: from thebreath we breathe every morning to the inner strength that strengthens oursteps in difficulty.  Scripture readingsoften show that God's love is not only a gift, but also a gentle invitation forman to live in harmony with Him. God's commandments are not burdens, but thebonds that bind man together with his source of life. When God rules with love,man is invited to respond with grateful obedience. But Jesus remindsthat there is not always harmony between God's will and man's response. He takesa very simple but touching example: the musicians blew joyful songs, but thepeople did not dance; They played a song of mourning, but no one wailed. Thispicture shows the incongruity of man's mind—as if God's tone is singing, butman's heart chooses to be silent. God speaks, but man does not hear; Godinvites, but man does not rise and walk. When there is no harmony, the trueflow of grace is hampered by the rejection or inaction of the human heart. In fact, when God'swill and man's obedience meet, a harmony will be born that brings true joy.Obedience is not a loss of freedom, but rather an adaptation to the best planthat God has prepared. When man walks in tandem and in harmony with His word,life becomes lighter. There is a sense of security in every step, because manknows he is moving in the right direction. It is there that salvation is notjust a distant promise, but an everyday experience that gives peace. Let us pray. In the name of theFather... Lord, help and enable us so that we always strive to be in line withYour will and finally achieve the salvation that You have set for us. HailMary, full of grace... In the name of the Father ...