Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the third week in Ordinary Time, January 28, 2025; Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Hebrews 10: 1-10; Rs psalm 40: 2.4ab.7-8a.10.11; Mark 3: 31-35 BECAUSE OF GOD'S WILL The theme for our meditation today is: Because of God's Will. In accordance with human nature, human beings have the right and ability to express themselves. It is rooted in the power of God the Creator who equips each person with reason and will. Intellectual abilities direct each of us to express ourselves, for example giving arguments, opinions, reasons, and judgments or criticisms. Specifically, we make a justification for a word or deed that we have done. To do that we empower our mental and intellectual abilities. There was a member of the police force had just received a promotion, and at the same time his youngest son had just received First Communion. In line with his promotion, he was assigned by the commander to serve in one of the outermost islands of Indonesia. In front of all the guests at the thanksgiving service at his home, he was very confident in saying that all these events to his family were God's will. This is an example of affirmation and justification that we often do, with our belief being God's will. Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate example of justification because of God's will. The letter to the Hebrews emphasizes the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ which is manifested in all forms of His ministry and suffering to save mankind. He died on the cross. Why did He do all this, He Himself replied, because of the will of Him who sent Him into the world. By the same will of God, Our Lady, the mother of Jesus, and all of us are also entrusted by Jesus to be faithful to do so. Then we can have the dignity of being brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. Our justification for doing God's will has at least two meanings, as inspired by today's readings. The first is as a sign of our obedience. Obedience is a basic condition for being holy. We should mention "By God's will" not just a blank statement or just a style of speech. We need to make it an expression of faith, that since God wants us to be in our own existence and duty, we must obey it. Not doing so, we betray our precious dignity as His beloved children. Second, by saying and doing God's will, we have the conviction that every work and service we do belongs to God. God entrusts His vineyard, the world, into our hands to be worked on and renewed. If there are often certain failures and damages, we just bring them in front of Him, because they belong to Him. Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O God, look upon us and fill us with Your mercy to faithfully share mercy with our neighbors. Hail Mary full of grace ... In the name of the Father...