Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the 10th week in ordinary time, June 12, 2025

Delivered by Andrew Jost and Shendy Jost from the Parish of Saint Albert the Great in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. 2 Corinthians 3: 15 - 4: 1.3-6; Rs psalm 85: 9ab-10.11-12.13-14; Matius 5: 20-26.REMOVE THE BARRIER The title for ourmeditation today is: Remove the Barrier. In a Sunday celebration of theEucharist the church was full with people. There was a small commotion in theback during the moment of consecration. There was a boy crying and protesting.He could not see the Body of Christ being raised by the priest, because hismother could not bring him up on her shoulders, as his father usually did. Hisfather was unable to come on that particular Sunday because he had a work outsidethe city. The child tried his best to see Jesus but in vain because many adultswere just in front of him and prevented him from seeing the Lord. Any barrier orobstacle must be removed so that we can have freedom to see and experience thepresence of God. Saint Paul describes the veil thatcovered the hearts of the Israelites when they read the book of Moses. Thereason was that they had turned away from God. If they would return to God, theveil would be removed from them. For us Christians, sins and evil are the mainbarriers that prevent us to see and experience the presence of God. In principle we arethe ones who create barriers in our lives. Laziness and boredom are oftenconsidered the big walls that prevent us from communicating with God. Those whoare lazy and boring are caught asleep or making something else on the one sideof the wall and the Lord is waiting for them from the other side. They justneed to be invited and persuaded or given an understanding so that they willregain their spirit. There is no permanent laziness and boredom in life. Anger, hatred,revenge and a stony heart are considered so heavy as steel walls. All of theseare big barriers that prevent us from praying and connecting our hearts withGod. We are asked to make peace and resolve the problem first, then come againto continue our prayers. This is what the Word of God demands us to do. Peopleof this type are not enough invited or persuaded to change their way of lives.Instead they must be given a strong strike to the point as what Jesus did, thatis to make them know that they will have no place in the Kingdom of God. Anybody arround us is not at all a barrieror obstacle for us to look at God and to meet Him. A genuine and true believer shouldnot just blame on the outside threat. For example, you are forbidden to prayor attend Mass. Yet your heart, mind and will are still in contact with Godwithout being noticed by the barrier. You can stillfind your way to be in contact with the Lord. So the call to getrid of barriers is primarily for ourselves, every one of us. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... Lord Jesus Christ, make our hearts remain close to You and may we alwaysaccept our neighbors as Your gifts to us. Hail Mary full of grace ... Inthe name of the Father ...