Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the ninth week in ordinary time, June 2nd, 2026

Delivered by Fabian Lukitananda from the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mamajang, in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. 2 Peter 3: 12-15a.17-18; Rs psalm 90: 2.3-4.10.14.16; Mark 12: 13-17.TAKING THE FACE OF GOD The theme for our meditation today is: Taking the Faceof God. We the followers of Christ are like coins. The image of God was put onus at the moment of our Baptism. We have been sealed and bound by the HolySpirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation. This image and seal confirm tothe world that we really belong to God. Like cows and buffaloes marked on their bodies bytheir owners, people who saw Roman coins would immediately said of who theyreally were or who they belonged to. The face of the Emperor was put on everyRoman coin. Therefore, when Jesus saw the coin that people brought to Him, heimmediately said that it belonged to the Caesar, therefore, devotion and honorshould be given to the Caesar, the emperor. Taxes and all state bills should besubmitted to the Emperor. Whereas we who have been branded and sealed with theimage of God, we should give attention, dedication and worship to Godthroughout our lives. This means that we display and present to the world theimage of God: especially before the emperor, the ruler and the power of thisworld, that there is a God that has a different and even a higher quality thanall those of this world. Coins can be seen and desired every where, dependingon human activities. They have prices from the cheapest to the most expensiveone, from buying a piece of paper to billions for buying land or house. Likethose coins, we who are branded in the likeness of God must also be able toreach and act every where in the world, in various places and situations tobecome the salt and light to the world. For example, the face of a merciful God who forgivesis present and working in you as a true follower of Christ, when a publicpolicy or a state institution launches a specific rule that will unfairly treatyour personal rights. It is here that the act of forgiveness will be verynecessary before the law establishment that implements its own course inupholding justice and truth for many people.                               If the world or most people do not give theirattention or not practicing forgiveness, peace, and tolerance, perhaps becausetheir lives are controlled by the power of emperor of this world. Whereas thecoin for the followers of Christ, namely the face of God, should shine morebrightly so that His Kingdom can rule the entire world and every human person,and will ultimately save them. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... Lord Jesus Christ, we are aware that theimage of your Father is in you and we also take the same image because we havechosen to follow you. May we continue to be enthusiastic and diligent in usingYour face in every moment of our lives, now and for ever. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...