Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the twenty-first week in ordinary time, August 25, 2025

Delivered by Bryan Darwi dan Lukitananda Putra Niora from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. 1 Thessalonians 1: 2b-5.8b-10; Rs psalm 149: 1-2.3-4.5-6a.9b; Matthew 23: 13-22.USING THREE CROWNS  Our meditation today is entitled:Using Three Crowns. The crown of thorns is only one put on the head of Jesus,the royal crown is only one on the head of the king, and the crown of thewinner of world beauty contest is only one for the winner. But these threecrowns are particular gifts from Jesus Christ to each of His followers. In the first reading, we see that SaintPaul was very happy and grateful for the growth of faith of the Thessalonians.This Christians community had received baptism in the Holy Spirit andthrerefore, they received also the sanctifying grace with three crowns, namelythe gift of "your faith, your efforts of love and your perseverance ofhope before God and our Father". Faith, love and hope are the basic unityof graces we receive through baptism. Our journey in this world as truebelievers should be guided in the light of these three virtues. The way offaith makes us believe in the greatness and glory of God, who does everythingpossible, even to move mountains. Through faith we ensure that God is alwayswith us and leads our lives in every time and place. The path of love truly makes us anextension of God's good deeds in the world. This act of love can cover up thesins we have committed. Therefore love never fails in its role. Through hope,we are able to survive in facing various challenges, difficulties, sufferingand willingness to repent and then become new. Living with hope means we come meetperfection. The main sign and source for alwaysfulfilling and imbued with these three crowns is the Lord Jesus, our king andteacher. If the faith is not strong enough and tends to be shaken, it is toJesus that we ask for its reinforcement. If love is increasingly empty and hasno effect because of mere words and promises, we must ask for Jesus' empowerment.And if we are weak in hope, surrender and despair, we must ask Jesus forrenewal. Growing well in these three crowns, wecan avoid the hypocritical behavior and mentality of oppressors such as thePharisees and the scribes. We do not want to be scolded by Jesus with strongcriticism: woe to you! On the contrary by always reinforcing the three crowns,we will not stop looking for the fullness of this life until we arrive at Godhimself. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O Lord Jesus Christ, in You we find how faith is strong, love isfully expressed and hope never fades. We ask for your blessings so that ourlives will always be a life of faith, love and toward true hope. Hail Mary fullof grace ... In the name of the Father ...