Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday of the 19th week in ordinary time, August 12, 2026

Delivered by Vici from the Parish of Saint John the Baptist in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Ezekiel 9: 1-7; 10: 18-22; Rs psalm 113: 1-2.3-4.5-6; Matthew 18: 15-20.GATHERING IN THE NAME OF THE LORD Our meditation today has the theme: Gathering in theName of the Lord. There was a group of teenagers about to enter a shop thatsells electronics and cell phones. They were so obsessed to have the newestproduct of cell phone that was being promoted everywhere. However, these poorteenagers had no money to buy what they were so eager to have, so they plannedto steal the cell phones in that shop. They planned in such way that nobodyaround would notice their action. But before doing that, the group leader invited all togather. He wished them to pray before stealing the cell phones they wanted. Andwhen they were about to pray, one of theirs friends raised an objection, as he wassaying in this way: "This is absurd. How can we pray then we go to steal?God definitely will not allow us." In the end they all did not steal andeach of them dispersed. When people gather to pray, they have good motivationto achieve a good objective too. What the today’s Gospel says is true, that Godis present when people, few or many, gather in His power and His name. If thereis a gathering of people with motivation to create chaos, commotion andviolence, that will be so displeasing God. Every gathering in the name of the Lord has someconstituted elements that are familiar to us. The first element is when we usethe name of the Lord to be the easiest way for us to feel close with Him. Ashort prayer, a praise of His holy name, or a hymn of praise are among theexamples of how we come together with our fellow brothers and sisters to praisethe Lord. God is present in our midst through various occasions like these andHe is never present in our gathering to evil or sinful act. Another important element of gathering in the name ofthe Lord which is ecclesial in nature, is what we usually do in formal way  to worship God under the guidance of theChurch. There are liturgical celebrations, ministries of the sacraments anddevotional prayers. God indeed touches us through the observance of theseworships and the reception of sacraments. He truly blesses those who partake inthem and receive the outpouring of graces. The ordained ministers in the personof deacon, priest and bishop who become the sign of the authority of the Churchthat serves, are those who represent Jesus Christ himself. Their task is tobridge communication between God and people in their acts of worship. And the element of love is a concrete expression ofhow God acts through the works of charity. A meeting to plan a program ofcharity for the poor families, this is a gathering in the name of God. Agathering to discuss on the renewal of interpersonal relationship and fraternalcorrection, this is also an act made in the name of the Lord. In essence, Godis present in the gathering of believers and He animates them. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus Christ, stay with us alwaysevery day, especially in our gatherings of worship and reception of sacraments,where You alone involves to share us the divine graces. Our Father who art inheaven ... In the name of the Father ...