Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the fourth week of Lent, March 31, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Isaiah 65: 17-21; Rs psalm 30: 2.4.5-6.11-12a.13b; John 4: 43-54THE ANSWER Our meditation today has the theme: The Answer. Theresults or achievements we obtain are the answer to the work and processes wedo. For example, agreement is the answer to a discussion to agree to thedifferences in perception. Concept is the answer to the agreement of variousarguments. System is the result of integrating different elements. Method isproduced from experiments and analysis of various variables. There was a 5th grade elementary school boywho wanted to prove to his parents and family that the First Communion he hadreceived about a month ago was an opportunity for him to serve the Church as analtar boy. He said that First Communion was the answer to his longing since hewas a kindergarten boy, how eager he was to receive Jesus Christ. Serving inthe Church as an altar boy was an answer to his longing to be near the Priestand see how the Priest celebrated the Eucharist. After receiving First Communion,he did not delay any longer to register as an altar boy. The baptism we receive opens the door for every personto find definitive answers about his or her journey of faith. One sure answeris to participate in Jesus Christ and in His Church. From this is formed aChristian identity that grows in the process of realizing the calling of everyfollower of Christ. Sons and daughters of God are called to professions such asteachers, civil servants, technicians, businessmen, farmers, or politicians.Sons and daughters of God are also called to the ministry of God's people aspriests, religious men and women, and married couples. The most basic obligation to be a follower of Christis to be a sign of Christ's presence, light and truth in the world. The termthat is often used is to be a living witness of Christ through Christian wordsand deeds that is to be the salt and light to this world. The dignity of thesons and daughters of God with the callings inherent in every person will beeffective if he or she carries out duties responsibly. So faith is the basis for the establishment andfunctioning of a Christian life that lives the love of Christ and hopes for anew heaven and earth, which is the kingdom of heaven, as the prophet Isaiah saysin today's first reading. The palace official got an answer in faith, after themiracle that took place in his family. Faith leads the whole family to God.They ordained themselves to have a participation in Jesus Christ, who have therights and obligations of being followers of Christ. The same thing happens tous, faith is our basic answer to God.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Jesus Christ,thank you for the grace of Your call to us and may we always renew our faith inYou. Hail Mary... In the name of the Father...