Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Saturday of the 22nd week in ordinary time, September 6, 2025

Delivered by Joanna from the Parish of Saint Gabriel in the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia. Colossians 1: 21-23; Rs psalm 54: 3-4.6.8; Luke 6: 1-5.THE DAY OF THE LORD Our meditation today is entitled: The Day of the Lord.The Day of the Lord is not solely to meet the needs or interests of man, butfor the glory of God Himself. From the beginning of creation, God sanctifiedthe seventh day as a day of rest, a sign of His covenant and love for Hispeople.  However, people often view the Lord's day only interms of personal interests: as an opportunity to rest, take a vacation, ortake care of worldly affairs. In fact, the essence of the Lord’s day is a daydevoted to directing the heart, mind, and entire human life to God, the Creatorand Savior. Celebrating the Lord's day means acknowledging thatGod is the source of life, and that all things come from Him and return to Him.This celebration is not a formal routine, but rather an expression of faithborn from a grateful and respectful heart. Every time we gather in thecelebration of the Eucharist on Sunday, we are actually expressing faith thatthe risen Jesus Christ is the center of our lives. Thus, the Lord's day is asign that our lives do not walk alone, but are always in the inclusion and graceof God. However, the celebration of the Lord's day does notstop only at the liturgy in the church. The faith expressed in prayer, praise,and gratitude to God must be manifested in tangible actions in the form of loveand service to others. The Lord's Day is an opportunity to renew ourselves sothat we are more able to love, forgive, and serve others humbly. Thus, the dayof the Lord has a direct correlation with daily life, because the faith that iscelebrated becomes the faith that is lived. Jesus affirmed that "the Sabbath was kept for menand not men for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). This means that the essence ofthe celebration of the holy day is not just rules, but an encounter with theliving God. The Church then established Sunday, the day of Christ'sresurrection, to replace the Jewish Sabbath. Sunday became the new "Lord'sday," for it was on that day that Jesus defeated death and gave new life.By celebrating Sunday, we remember God's saving work culminating in Christ'sresurrection. Therefore, Sunday should not be seen only as anordinary day or just a holiday, but as a holy day that should be celebratedearnestly. We are called to be present in the celebration of the Eucharist, tocenter our hearts to God, and to offer our thanksgiving. More than that, we arecalled to make Sunday the starting point of the spirit of service and love inthe coming new week.  Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Almighty God,purify our hearts and minds so that our offerings to You through prayer andpraise may be worthy offerings to You. Glory to the Father ... In the name ofthe Father ...