Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Saturday of the ninth week in ordinary time, June 6th, 2026

Delivered by Leon from the Parish of Santa Helena in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. 2 Timothy 4: 1-8; Rs psalm 71: 8-9.14-15ab.16-17.22; Mark 12: 38-44.RELIGION OFAMBITION, PROMOTION AND POSITION The theme forour meditation today is: Religion of Ambition, Promotion and Position. We admitthat embracing a religion is an individual and group right or choice. Based onthis, human nature that manifests ambition, self-promotion and position seekingoften dominates every one's interest. The Lord Jesusasked us not to have such a way of life in our practice of faith. Jesus himselfdid not have that type of practice. Instead, He presents a style of life thatis the opposite of ambition, self-promotion and position seeking. In His time,religious leaders, scholars, scribes and Pharisees were well known for thistype of religion and way of life. Then Jesusreminds all of us not to follow them. We should avoid tendencies to: 1) veryhigh desires or ambitions to be important and to be prioritized; 2) alwaysseeking to be promoted or looking for attention to be known and acknowledged orappreciated by other people; 3) use one’s position, even the one of a spiritualnature, for personal gain. Followers ofChrist should behave in words and deeds with humility which brings goodness toothers, rather than their ambition to profit from the lives of other people.They should show and promote goodness of others and common good through work,service and solidarity rather than self-promotion. They should use positionwith responsibility whether civil or religious for the service of common goodrather than seeking any personal gain. The three humantendencies described earlier are rooted in pride, which is one of the 7 capitalsins of mankind. If this capital sin is removed, the sins that are derived fromit will also not develop. There are two ways that we learn today to fight humanpride. First, we alwayspraise and thank God at all times. TheApostle Paul advised his disciple Timothy to express praise and gratitudethrough an attitude of true faith, namely being patient in suffering andcarrying out the duties of service and preaching in joy. Second, humilityshould become our preference in life that we develop and maintain. Jesus hasset an example through the act of a poor widow who gave alms. Humility is notin the form of being passive and calm, but doing and offering somethingmaterial or spiritual which, although simple, is useful for others and forcommon good. Let's pray. In thename of the Father... Strengthen and bless us, O Lord Jesus Christ, so thatthrough our routine and ordinary work and ministry, we will bring goodness toothers and our lives together. May Your Spirit always accompany us to realizethis mission. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... Inthe name of the Father...