Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Saturday of the 20th week in ordinary time, August 23, 2025

Delivered by Nia from the Parish of Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. Ruth 2: 1-3.8-11; 4: 13-17; Rs psalm 128: 1-2.3.4.5; Matthew 23: 1-12.STAYWITH YOUR SAVIOR Thetitle for our meditation today is: Stay with Your Saviour. Who among us doesnot want to be appreciated, not helped and not accepted as a fellow humanbeing? Obviously there’s none. Every one wants his or her life supported andworks appreciated. On the other hand, he or she does not want to be consideredcriminal, destroyer, sinner or trash and a disease of society. Whenin trouble and in need of help, it is not rejection or humiliation that wewant, but understanding, appreciation, acceptance and help. Saints in heaven arethe examples for us in living united with the Lord our saviour and trulyexperiencing His immense love. They teach us about the intimate relationship ofthe human heart and mind with the Lord, our saviour. Adeep and intimate spiritual experience with God can be the right solution forhumans who have difficulties in life. The Lord Jesus sees what we are, that weare sinners and experience various difficulties in life. We obviously need Hismercy. Jesus teaches us not to pretend, but to be transparent, honest orsincere. We are reminded not to follow the lifestyle of the Pharisees, scribesand religious leaders because their words and actions are inconsistent. Theysay, teach and theorize one thing, but do the other. Their own lives become thejudge that determines that they are against Jesus Christ. Godis the most powerful and He really knows us inside and out. It's useless for usto cover up or pretend, because He already knows what we hide, lie and cheat.It could be that just by being hypocritical and pretending to be like that, weactually don't get help and mercy from God. We will get torment and reproachfrom others. So, we should be honest with ourselves, with others and with God. Withhonesty, surely our difficulties, shortcomings and sins will be exposed; thenthe merciful and gracious God will say to us: “Stay with Me, for you will findsalvation. Something beautiful and great will happen to you, if you will staywith Me." Our beloved saints in heaven really experience this. Our Lady,Saint Joseph, the apostles and all the saints are examples for us, namelychoosing and accepting God's invitation to stay with Him. Don't reject thisinvitation. Let'spray. In the name of the Father... O Father in heaven, may with Your blessingtoday we can live today always under the shadow of Your blessing and love.Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit... In the name of theFather...