Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the 22nd week in ordinary time, September 1, 2025

Delivered by Randy from the Parish of Christ the King in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-17a; Rs psalm 96: 1.3.4-5.11-12.13; Luke 4: 16-30.DYING WITH AND IN CHRIST The title for our meditation today is: Dying With and InChrist. As Christians, we believe that our lives begin, are lived, and end inChrist. When we are called to die together and in Jesus Christ, it means thatwe no longer view death as a dreadful end, but rather as the entrance toeternal life.  Christ's death on the cross was not a failure, but atotal and perfect expression of God's love for man. Thus, to die in Christmeans to give our lives completely into His hands, convinced that His love isgreater than death. This meaning is very relevant to human life today. Themodern world often avoids talking about death, as if death is the greatestenemy to be kept as far away as possible. However, the Christian faith viewsdeath in Christ as a victory. Saint Paul affirms: "To me life is Christand death is gain" (Philippians 1:21). That is, as long as our lives aredirected to Christ, then death is not darkness, but the path to fullness ofunion with God. Death in Christ also teaches us to live a life ofmeaning and responsibility. If we realize that life is temporary, we will bemore careful to fill it with love, truth, and devotion. We are no longer tiedto temporal things that are temporary, but seek the eternal. Thus, theawareness of death in Christ frees us from vain fear and gives us the courageto live in the light of God's love. The task of Christians is to proclaim the truth ofdeath in Christ as a fundamental hope. The world is hungry for hope, especiallywhen faced with suffering, sickness, and death. Through the testimony of faith,we are called to reassure others that death is not the end, but the beginningof a new life with God. This is proclaimed not only through words, butespecially through the way we live: a life full of peace, patience, and love,even in the midst of difficulties. This message of hope must also be a strength inservices. Christians are called to be present for those who are experiencingsuffering and loss. The Thessalonian Christians accepted Saint Paul'sexhortation to comfort the grief of the death of a loved one, by welcoming eachperson's day of death with joy and hope. Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O God, fill uswith a strong faith of the hope of eternal life with You in glory and happinessthat will never end. Hail Mary full of grace... In the name of the Father ...