Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the 20th week in ordinary time, August 19, 2025

Delivered by Fiona from the Parish of Mary Queen of the Rosary in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Judges 6: 11-24a; Rs psalm 85: 9.11-12.13-14; Matthew 19: 23-30.WE ARE ALL BEGGARS Our meditation today is entitled: WeAre All Beggars. In one of his spiritual writings, Saint Bernard, a mystic andspiritual guide in the Catholic Church, once explained his thought of his faithin this way: In order for us to know the true love of God and to practice it,we must be able to recognize the poverty of each of us. By knowing that we areloved, we are touched by our own poverty. Thus Saint Bernard wants to say thatevery one of us in this world is poor. When one experiences love, namely tolove and to be loved, he or she should be seen as a poor person. In otherwords, we are all beggars of love. Both rich and poor, people who have moneyand those who don't have money, they all experience love in their lives. The act of love and the experience ofthe beauty of love cannot be measured by money and wealth. There is a studentfrom the richest family in his city. He has the same simple appearance as allhis friends in campus. A friend from the village and poor family once said tohim, "If I'm a rich person like you, I don't need to go to the universitylike this." The rich young man who looks verysimple, replied, "My family has a lot of wealth, but I need knowledge. Iam poor in knowledge.” This is an answer that fits the theme of thismeditation, we all in this world are beggars. We are all not rich and notperfect. In addition to the young man who was looking for knowledge, actuallywe are also equally looking for justice, joy, calmness, peace and love. Israel as a nation that had been inall difficulties as beggar, was blessed by God in the sending of a messenger asthe savior, namely Gideon. But as always happens, after one leader dies or anew problem arises, every one returns in the seeking out of God's intervention.They remain beggars of God's love and mercy. It is very clear that we are allbeggars before the almighty and merciful God. The Lord Jesus continually emphasizesin His teaching that money, goods, wealth, power cannot guarantee eternalhappiness and joy in the life of His kingdom. So we all really need God as theOne to fill our lives. We want that God fills up our loneliness, sadness,disappointment, our sickness, our fragile and sinful lives, and lost of hope. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O Lord Jesus, fill us and our lives as we always long for your loveand mercy. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father ...