Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday, the fifth day in the Octave of Christmas, December 29th, 2025

Delivered by Johana from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. 1 John 2: 3-11; Rs psalm 96: 1-2a.2b-3.5b-6; Luke 2: 22-35.A FREE JOY The title for ourmeditation today is: A Free Joy. There were priests, religious men and women whoheld for the first time a reunion in their parish of origin. The celebrationand party were so lively and full of memories. One of the memories was thatthey met Aunt Maria, a childless widow who served as the sacristan in theParish church for decades. Many priests and nuns have known Aunt Maria assacristan since they were children. The reunion was truly a blessed moment forthe sacristan Maria. For Aunt Maria,working and serving in the Church for the rest of her life was an endless joy.This joy is free, because it does not need a complicated process, there are noapplications and recruitment tests. Someone needs only good will, joy,generosity, and faitfulness. This is also the experience of Simeon and Hannah,old man and woman who devoted their lives in the temple, in prayer andsacrifice. They found joy there. They hoped that one day salvation andliberation would come for the people of Israel. Both Aunt Maria and thosetwo old persons, they inspire us about joy as a blessing from God. According tothe Scriptures, grace is free and not to be puchased. What is really needed isour willingness to stay and serve God through the Church, so that grace andblessings will be poured out to us in abundance. Aunt Maria found the LordJesus through the meeting with the fruits of God's calling from her parish. Simeonand Hannah themselves met the child Jesus and believed that their lives werealready full and sufficient. We can learn fromthis inspiration. In this Christmas season, we at least find in Jesus Christ ananswer to our questions, doubts, searches or hopes. That answer can be either athanskgiving for a meaningful year 2025 that is going away or a meaningfulrealization of dreams in the coming year 2026. That is why we believe andunderstand that joy as the grace of God is gratuitous. It is good that everyone of us would mention one's own dream during moments of prayer and encounterwith God. Aunt Maria, Simeonand Hannah expressed their joy and gratefulness. They found the true meaning ofthe Gospel, which is God who came to find and give meaning to their lives. We hopethat we can also find such joy. The Gospel that opens its meaning and shapesour lives is the Gospel of life, therefore we call it the good news. We mustproclaim the good news of the Lord. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus Christ, bless us with the fullness of Your Spirit. May we everjoyful to give You thanks for all the goodness and successes that we haveachieved in each of our work and sacrifice. Give us also encouragement to workhard. Hail Mary, full of Grace ... In the name of the Father...