Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday of the 17th week in ordinary time, July 30, 2025

Delivered by Stella Wijaya and Svara Nirmala from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Exodus 34: 29-35; Rs psalm 99: 5.6.7.9; Matthew 13: 44-46.CIRCLE OF LIGHT  The title for our meditation today is:Circle of Light. Starting from Jesus, then the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, theapostles, and all saints, seeing at their images, there are always halos intheir heads. Sometimes rather than referring to the word “holy”, “immaculate”or “perfect”, people simply demonstrate a symbol of a circular gesture abovetheir heads to reveal the purpose. The circle of light above the headmeans the person concerned is holy or sacred. Why do these halos reserved onlyfor the saints? Because the fullness of God's grace is upon them. Because theyfulfill all the conditions to be in the fullness of grace as Jesus says alwaysthat one should become perfect like the Father is ever perfect. There is a haloabove the head of the saint, because he is intended to be the model ofperfection for others. In today's first reading, Moses isdescribed as having a halo and his face is shining brightly as he descends fromthe mountain where he met God. Every time He met and spoke with God, it wasseen by the people around him, the light came out from Moses' head and face.The question: is Moses' experience of holiness our experience too, because wealso always encounter God? We need to remember, that theplacement of halos on saints’ heads that describes holiness, is somethinginfluenced by the culture of Christian faith in history of the Church. But theexperience of meeting God happens to anyone and at any time. This experiencedoes not depend on the presence or absence of halos. Every time we can meet Godfor example through personal prayer, celebration of sacraments, serving othersor being served and loved by our neighbors. We are more special, and Moses doesnot have it, because we are always under the guidance of the Holy Spirit tomeet and speak with the Lord. The Holy Spirit allows us to have ahalo not just above our heads to be seen by people, or the appearance of ashiny and bright face. Jesus Christ is always with us with His teaching so thatwe choose God's Kingdom as our only choice. It is God Himself, and by havingthat Kingdom of God we are even more radiant and shiny, because we are filledwith the light of God the almighty. Today, you will certainly be a brightperson, if from morning to night you truly become another Christ for ohersaround you. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O Lord our God, bless us especially today, so that we can bringforth Your glory through our words and deeds by imitating Your Son our LordJesus, for all times. Hail Mary full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...