Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the third week of Lent, March 25, 2025, Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Isaiah 7: 10-14; 8: 10; Rs psalm 40: 7-8a.8b-9.10.11; Hebrews 10: 4-10; Luke 1: 26-38 TODAY'S GOOD NEWS The theme for our meditation today, the Solemnity ofthe Annunciation of the Lord is: Today's Good News. In the current trendysocial media-based short videos, we are always given the answer to thequestion: "What are today's words?" The person being questionedalways gives answers in the form of nice words to hear, expressions offriendship, motivational statements, and inspiring exclamations. For example, when you watch and hear a motivationalstatement in this manner, "Stedfast in your faith, never give up, becausea day's hardship is enough for a day," and at that very moment you aredepressed and disappointed by a certain problem, you will be comforted andcalm. You will restart your day by being excited and joyful again. In our time, audio-visual and digital-based socialmedia is running hand in hand with the creativity of the human generation ofmedia users who are increasingly expanding and advanced. The preaching anddissemination of the good news can be done by as many people as possible withtheir own abilities and creativity. In this connection, the event of the Annuncitationof the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of Nazareth who was appointed as theMother of God and Jesus the Savior of the world born through the womb of Mary,should be the main motivation for us to always share the good news, the joyful words,and the wonderful story of salvation among us. Basically, God Himself is the giver and sharer of thejoyful news of the mysteries of His glory to us. This Solemnity of theAnnunciation is one of the God’s revelations of His glory. It is this act ofGod that we must continue in our daily lives, when we are the ones who conceivethe good news and bring them to the world or our own presence that becomes goodnews for the people around us. The question would this: what is the content ofgood news can we share? For us the people belong to Jesus Christ who are sentas His witnesses in the world, the content of today's good news that we bringis of course the Lord Jesus Himself. Words, expressions, and statements thatcontain goodness to comfort and strengthen must be acknowledged as inspirationfrom God, and not from Satan or any particular evil spirit. Ghosts do not haveauthority to spread the good news of God. We, as individuals and as a community, should bringthe name of Jesus, His actions and teachings as the glad tidings that weproclaim to others. As the scriptures say, we are indeed salt and light for theworld today. God is the glad tidings, we are the bearers. Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Almighty God,enable us to be true bearers of joyful news in today's world. Our Father who artin heaven... In the name of the Father ...