Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Saturday of the 23rd week in ordinary time, September 12, 2026

Delivered by Kezia Angel and Khezia Andaranu from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. 1 Corinthians 10: 14-22a; Rs psalm 116: 12-13.17-18; Luke 6: 43-49.GOODNESS COMES OUT FROM A GOOD HEART Our meditation today has the theme: Goodness Comes Outfrom a Good Heart. There was a six year old boy who could make his choice totake the gifts given by his father and mother. In a particular moment, both hisfather and mother brought him some gifts. He smiled at his mother and happilyaccepted the gift. Then something different happened when he came to hisfather. He only smiled a little, then he did not take the gift from his father. When he was asked why he did not take his father'sgift, the boy spontaneously said that the father often got angry, andtherefore, for him whatever given by his father was bad. This child certainlythought that what his father had done was a kind of bad fruit as taught by theLord Jesus Christ. The sign of good fruit is shown when a disciple of Christbrings out what is good from his heart to be the goodness that we can sharetogether. Jesus describes that people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor dothey gather grapes from brambles. So, we can understand this, that the evilperson brings out of him or her the evil words and deeds. On the other hand,the good person brings out good words and deeds. Let us see one of the cases we have today. People usesocial media to express what their hearts and minds say, such as to spreadlove, to build brotherhood, to strengthen fellowships and to share knowledge.Some people use it to help in their works or to run a business. But some otheractually use it for negative gains such as to slander, to provoke violence, to expressanger and hatred, to spread lies, to corrupt and to do drugs transaction. We can generally distinguish two groups of people onhow they use the social media, namely those who treasure anger, hatred,jealousy and envy in their hearts so that what they reveal through media is allevil things. This really causes trouble and fear. The other group is those whocreate peace and want to live in love that unites people together. They inspireoptimism for a better life for all people and the world. Saint Paul gives us a suggestion for dealing with thisproblem, namely that those who bear good fruits through words and deeds,continue show good examples. They have to avoid laziness, boredom and failureto give true and good influence, including in the use of social media. The moregood influences, the better life is. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... Almighty Father, fill us with Your gracesso that we may always produce in us and in the world good fruits through ourwords and actions. Hail Mary, full of grace... In the name of the Father ...