Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday of the twenty-fourth week in ordinary time, September 16, 2026, Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop; Martyrs

Delivered by Nicole Orlincallysta Yacob and Michelle Jordyn Limanta from Saint Peter's School Kelapa Gading, Jakarta Utara, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. 1 Corinthians 12: 31 - 13: 13; Rs psalm 33: 2-5.12.22; Luke 7: 31-35.DON'T ENJOY INDIFFERENCE The theme for our meditation today is: Don't EnjoyIndifference. The term "indifference" which is common in ourconversations indicate lack of attention, ignorance, or carelessness, that ispart of our natural human weakness. If we are indifferent to our relatives orfriends, for sure this will make them angry or offended. The Lord will also bedisappointed if His people are indifferent of Him. Jesus himself sent by the Father to be the Savior ofthe world, faced the indifference of those around Him. He considered them as ageneration that was indifferent and ignorant. They simply fooled themselvesbecause of their stupidity. The long-promised Messiah who already came and waspresent in their midst, yet they were blind in their hearts, minds and eyes.Therefore, they could not hear him and they rejected Him. They were likechildren who were in joyful moment to play music, but people around were not happyin joining the singing and dancing. They were like children who were mourningand in sadness, but the people around them did not feel sad with them. Indifference is an attitude that shows no response orno sympathy. When you are not being responded to, it is like you are facing astone or a wall. This really hurts you more painful than when you receive anegative answer or response. The answers such as "no" or "sorryI have no time to answer you", are enough for you to understand they arethe negative answers. But if there is no certainty because people areindifferent or having no attention of you, this is precisely an attitude thatis so cruel and it's very contrary to faith. It is true to say that faith really needs response.However Jesus did not find this in those who met and heard Him. He was verydisappointed and He strongly criticized them. This same attitude exists alsowithin our Church and in the relationships between the believers. People areoften indifferent, uncare or insensitive to the advices, suggestions, input orcritics for improvement. This will lead them to repeat the same habits andmistakes that they have been struggling to overcome. If people ignore and donot care about God's Word and His commandments, they will be far from God'sblessings and mercy. Indifference is really against love. When the Lordsays that He is present in the little, poor and sick ones, love demands thatthey should be given care or attention. However, if His followers are ignorantand indifferent, they actually hurt God and insult their neighbors as well. Todaywe are reminded not to be indifferent or careless. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus, make us people who alwayscare and ready to take part in the improvement and development of our lives asYour beloved people. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father...