Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the sixth week of Easter, May 15th, 2026

Delivered by Gladys from the Parish of Saint Gabriel in the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 18: 9-18; Rs psalm 47: 2-3.4-5.6-7; John 16: 20-23a.DON'TUNDERESTIMATE REGRET Our meditationtoday has the theme: Don't Underestimate Regret. For the umpteenth time,Sandro, a teenager who was about to enter the university, apologized to hismother: "I'm sorry Mama, I am very sorry for what I did. I promise not torepeat that act". Sandro only uses money for travel and dating, the realmoney for his preparation for college. He lowered his head and hugged hismother. Everyone hopes that Sandro's promise to change will come true. But any of ourpromises to change from mistakes or sins will be realized as expected throughregret. Regret is shame, sadness, pain, suffering and unpleasantness for havingmade mistakes and sins. Even hatred, anger and dislike for mistakes and sinsare also an important part of a regret. A person who is remorseful indicatesthat he is angry and hurt by the act.  So one shouldnot underestimate regret, deny or play tricks on it. Jesus Christ counseledthat regret must be enjoyed. Every one of His followers would weep and beoverwhelmed with sorrow over the experience of a deficiency or an inabilitylike the one experienced by Jesus' disciples. This is a common thing and wealways face.  But all of thatwill be overcome with the comfort of the Holy Spirit. The comfort and help wereceive after regret is also a normal experience for us. After crying and beingsad, people smile and get excited again. But a regret is seen as most effectiveif it is done for the sins and mistakes we have committed.  Just imagine,there is a mistake made and the person concerned wants to repent, improvehimself, but does not want to regret his actions! I stole a friend's money.Then admitting the act, I would return the money and promised not to stealagain, but I did not regret my action.  What has happenedto me? I didn't have any feelings of shame and sadness. I also didn't feel howsick and lost my friend was. There was no more room in my heart for forgivenessand respect for others. That is the consequence if we have no regret. Trulyregretting ourselves will make our forgiveness sincere, and it will help us notto be tempted to make the same mistakes again.  So again, neverunderestimate that regret. May you and I be among those who consider itpositive and important for a regret. Every mistake demands regret.  Let us pray. In thename of the Father... O Lord, help us always to have deep regret for everymistake and sin we have committed, so that we may truly repent. Our Father who artin heaven... In the name of the Father ...