Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the fourth week of Lent, March 16th, 2026

Delivered by Johana from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Isaiah 65: 17-21; Rs psalm 30: 2.4.5-6.11-12a.13b; John 4: 43-54.GET THE ANSWER Our meditation today isentitled: Get the Answer. We are always satisfied, calm and at peace when ourquestion or search gets its answer. We certainly do not feel peaceful andsatisfied if we do not get the answer. Agreement is the answer to thediscussion on the different perceptions. Concept is the answer to theinterconnection of various arguments. System is the result of the integrationof different elements. Method is the fruit of the experiment process andanalysis of different variables. As followers ofChrist, we know that faith is the answer to the process of knowing andfulfilling God's call to every human person. By achieving and having faith, aperson is gifted with rights and obligations as a true follower of Christ. Theentrance to this faith is baptism that characterizes a person believing inJesus Christ as the Son of God who lives with the Father in communion with theHoly Spirit. The most importantright of a believer is his or her participation in Jesus Christ with the dignitybeing a brother or sister of Christ, or having special adoption as a son ordaughter of the Almighty Father. This basic right brings about awareness andestablishment of a Christian identity which is formed along with the calling ofeach individual to be the follower of Christ. The sons and daughters of God arecalled to become professionals such as teachers, public servants, technicians,business people, farmers, or politicians. Others are called to the service ofGod's people as priests, religious men and women, and married spouses.  The obligation as afollower of Christ is to be the sign of Christ's presence, light, and truth inthe world. Through baptism we are made witnesses of Christ, that through ourwords and deeds we become salt and light for the world. Our dignity as sons anddaughters of God and our Christian vocations will be fruitful and perfect if weresponsibly fulfill our obligation. And so, faith is thefoundation or beginning for the growth and work of our Christian life, thatexpresses the love of Christ and the hope to achieve a new heaven and earth,which is the kingdom of heaven, said the book of the prophet Isaiah in thefirst reading today. The royal official found the answer of faith, followingthe miracle happened in his family. That faith brought his whole family to God.They consecrated themselves to be part of Jesus Christ, and they had rights andobligations as the followers of Jesus according to the religious standard andcondition of that time. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Jesus Christ, thank you for the gift of your call to each one of us, andmay we always renew our faith in you. Hail Mary, full of grace... In the nameof the Father ...