Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the fifth week of Easter, May 19, 2025

Delivered by Clifford Erikson Guandang from the Parish of Saint Vincent a Paulo in the Diocese of Malang -East Jawa, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 14: 5-18; Rs psalm 115: 1-2.3-4.15-16; John 14: 21-26.THE PERSEVERING, THE SUCCESSFUL The title for our meditation today is:The Persevering, The Successful. There was a boy who approached his father andasked a question as he said: "Father, if I am good at learning and smart,will I succeed?" The father replied: "It is not intelligence thatmakes a person successful in life, son, but his perseverance." To this boy's question, the Lord JesusChrist through the Gospel of today says that perseverance is more necessary.Jesus says that the Holy Spirit sent by Him is our comforter and teacher. TheHoly Spirit guides us, the disciples of Jesus, and we are required todiligently follow and learn to become perfect like our Master Jesus. In the guidance of the Holy Spirit, wedo not aim to become intelligent and successful persons. Because if we allbecome intelligent and smart, many of us might want to compete with the HolySpirit, or even the Holy Spirit becomes confused to guide and teach us. Therefore, the virtue that is veryimportant to us is perseverance or faithfulness, and not intelligence or smartness.The life expereince of the early Church proved that the apostles were not smartand intelligent persons. But because they were diligent and committed to JesusChrist, they were able to mature and master all the knowledge of Jesus Christand the Kingdom of God. Saints Paul and Barnabas were diligentby being steadfast in Jesus Christ and His gospel, even though they facedintelligent and scholarly minded persons from cultures that were totallydifferent from theirs. They showed perseverance as a very strong testimony, inorder to convince all newly baptized Christians that they could persevere infaith and made them steadfast in defending their faith in Jesus Christ. Perseverance must start from each of usbecause there is a willingness to achieve a goal that is good and right.Through a combination of diligence, focus and enthusiasm, one can achieve thedesired results. A person who is good at math because he has ever been andcontinues to work and explore that field. A soccer player is involved in allthe playing techniques constantly so he  then becomes a great player. Likewise, if we intend and commitourselves as sons and daughters of God, or as followers of Christ, we willsucceed in enjoying what Jesus says, namely to occupy a place in the house ofthe Father in heaven that has been provided for each one of us. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O Jesus Christ, we are so happy with Your Holy Spirit who is alwaysour comforter and teacher. May we always be diligent and faithful under Hisguidance and teaching, now and for ever, amin. Our Father who art in heaven ...In the name of the Father ...