Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday of the 22nd week in ordinary time, September 2, 2026

Delivered by Mandala Putra Munthe dan Clarisa Lauren Nababan from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9; Rs psalm 33: 12-13.14-15.20-21; Luke 4: 38-44.THE ROLE OF INTERCESSOR The theme for our meditation today is: The Role ofIntercessor. There was an elementary school boy who was asked by his teacher:"To whom do you tell your complaints and difficulties?" The boyspontaneously replied: "To my father and my mother". Then the teachercontinued, "To whom do your father and your mother tell all the complaintsand difficulties?" The child also spontaneously replied: "ToJesus." The teacher continued to ask: "Why don't you tell Jesus directly?"The child also enthusiastically replied: "Because I did not see Jesusdirectly." The boy for sure did not see and meet Jesus directly,but he did see and meet Him in his parents. He believed that his complaints anddifficulties that he revealed to his father and mother would eventually reachJesus. Often we really need to go through other people to be able to know God,then we can come to Him. Parents teach us true faith. Some adults teach us howto pray and give thanks. Friends teach us how to read well the scriptures. Thereligion teacher or the catechist explains the correct liturgical celebrationwe need to follow. There are intercessors whose role are to bring God'sgraces to us. The experience of being mediators or intercessors happened also inthe apostles, especially Simon Peter who interceded for divine intervention, thenhis mother-in-law got recovery from her serious sickness thanks for the healingmiracle of Lord. There are many other examples of the intercessor role forhelping and serving people in need. Saint Paul says that to be an intercessor,as did Apollos and other disciples of Jesus, we should have one purpose onlywhich is to know, understand, follow  anddo the work of Christ. Even if the role of the intercessor is big andchallenging, we can assume this duty because we have many examples tofollow.  A strong character and outspokenfigure like Saint Paul had proved this with his own life. He says that if wewant to know more and to be more fruitful in the work of the Lord, we need to followa standard of discipline already set for us. This task is perhaps the mostdifficult for parents, teachers, catechists, public officials, leaders and evena friend and relative. Each can become an intercessor of God's grace for othersunder their responsibilities. However, when dealing with those who show reluctanceto accept what is offered, the intercessors for sure will sacrifice more theirpatience, dedication and effort. Not everyone like Apostle Peter's mother-in-law whocould accept help or assistance with calmness and gratefulness. Not everyonealso can respond to this help by giving service in turn to Jesus withgenerosity like Peter's mother-in-law. However, there are many people who arestubborn like Saint Paul's listeners. Perhaps many more who, after receivingkindness, do not express gratitude. There are still many who say"yes" about their faith, but they do not practice it. Jesus indeedcame to the world to these people, and we are the intercessors of God's love forthem. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Jesus Christ, make us true channels forYour voice and actions to our fellow brothers and sisters. Glory be to theFather and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...