Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the 17th week in ordinary time, July 28, 2026

Delivered by Alice Budiman from the Parish of Salib Suci in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Jeremiah 14: 17-22; Rs psalm 79: 8.9.11.13; Matthew 13: 36-43.THE REAL WORLD IS THE FIELD FOR OUR STRUGGLE The theme for our meditation today is: The Real Worldis the Field for Our Struggle. There was a student studying in the city, washaving a phone call with his parents in the village. He told them about manytemptations that always bothered him, such as love relationship between boysand girls who were not enough mature, fights between friends, laziness ortiredness in study, and many other evil influences around him. His father whowas speaking with him then responded, "We in the village also have problemssuch as I argue many times with your mother, your brothers and sisters are lazyto work and study, and a very poor signal almost happens everyday." Our life everyday is full with distractions. Thisworld and every human person who inhabits in it becomes the field of workintended by Jesus Christ who was sent by the heavenly Father. He was willing todie for our goodness and salvation. Sin, evil influences, disturbances anddifficulties of any kind always make our lives not in peace. According to thetoday's reading, these are the weeds that disturb our lives as followers ofChrist. None of us can go free from the threat of these weeds. Even though you try to do good and always intend toplease those around you, but there are still some of them who dissatisfy,disagree, dislike, oppose, and envy at you. They are all weeds who have notolerance on you. However, Jesus never gives up or stops giving us His lovingattention. Jesus Christ does not abandon us, and the Holy Spirit faithfullyaccompanies us. This is the reality of this world. We cannot avoid this world's reality. We can onlystand on our feet, keep walking on our way, and must be able to equip ourselveswith all the commandments and guidance of the Lord. Like the prophet Jeremiahwho lamented that this real life is broken because of sin and it really hopesfor God's mercy, we also should have an optimistic view about a better life wecan achieve. This attitude surely will support our purpose of being at homewith one another and contribute our sharing of active participation for therenewal of our lives and the world we are in. Let us free ourselves from theview that sees this life merely a dream or an illusion that can lead people toa pessimistic attitude and hatred toward this real world. When people dream to escape from the real worldbecause they can't stand the situation right now, this maybe like a car thatpasses a long road where some times endures the rocky part and some timesenjoys the smooth part. The rear wheels continue to dream or fantasize as theysay: "We want to be in the front position in order to arrive first, buthow can we ...? Many of us often fall into such dream, which means that theyare not comfortable, not optimistic and not realistic about this life on thisworld. We hope we are not part of this type of people, because we are stillrealistic and optimistic about this life and because God Himself is always withus.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O God, the almighty Father, may the HolySpirit always enable us to renew the world and our lives, and our fidelity toJesus Christ never fades from the faith that we profess. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...