Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the 7th week in ordinary time, February 25, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Sirach 2: 1-11; Rs psalm 37: 3-4.18-19.27-28.39-40; Mark 9: 30-37TRIALS ALONG THE WAY TO GOD The theme for our meditation today is: Trials Alongthe Way to God. There are so many words and wise advice that strengthen ourfaith to make us feel at home, happy and wanting to stay in God. There are manyprayers and songs that express how important to be in the house of God. Forexample, the song "How Wonderful Your House, O God" or the familyprayer that regularly says this expression: "We always want to live withYou, Lord." The purpose of our faith is to dwell in the Lord and weall have this noble intention. God's call for each person is to bring him tothis destination. Each type of vocation is good, noble, and expresses God'swill for the person concerned. A person's self-esteem and uniqueness dependheavily on the calling he has. The very important thing for us to ponder is thejourney to the destination. What matters here is how each of us makes thejourney. This is a process, and all of us who go through it are aware of God'smercy and love that accompanies us. God is always faithful to His promise toprotect us. He also does not let our hearts over burdened and let us get lost andeven disappear from the grasp of His love. On the basis of this understanding, we can understandhow the book of Sirach describes the challenges and obstacles that accompanyour journey of faith, and which we certainly cannot avoid. All kinds ofchallenges and obstacles are part of our daily realities. Our own weaknessess,influences from the environment or the world around us, and the power of Satanremain looming over us and ready to disturb us.  The author of the book reminds us to always beprepared for all these difficulties. He says that everyone who serves God andis heading towards the communion with Him, must face difficulties. This is likegold to be proven for its authenticity must indeed be put into fire. So trials,challenges, and difficulties are opportunities for us to be tested that eventuallywe become pure and be united with God. The symbolism that Jesus uses to express ourfaithfulness in the face of trials, challenges and difficulties is how tobecome like children. This is a type of self-denial. All the difficulties andtrials seem to make us small and helpless, but God has actually provided aspecial place for anyone who is able to practice the way of emptying him or herselflike the Lord Jesus had shown emptying Himself.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, strengthenand enable us when we become weak. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the nameof the Father...