Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday, special day of Advent, December 17, 2025

Delivered by Svara Nirmala and Lukitananda Putra from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Genesis 49: 2.8-10; Rs psalm 72: 1-2.3-4ab.7-8.17; Matthew 1: 1-17.THEJUSTICE OF THE LORD REIGNS Thetitle for our meditation today is: The Justice of the Lord Reigns. In the pastfew days religious figures such as Elijah in the Old Testament and John theBaptist in the New Testament caught much of our attention. Today we have theopportunity to meet another Old Testament figure, namely the King David. Jacob,also called Israel, when he was about to die, called his children to give thema wish, and the one who got it and who would inherit the power of God's justicewas Judah. From him came the king David. Descendants after descendants fromJudah to David, finally reached Jacob who begot Joseph the husband of theVirgin Mary. Inthe classroom during the religion class, a student protested strongly againsther teacher. She did not want the teacher to continue the lesson by mentioningthe king David's name. For her David was a great scandal. As a girl, she wantedthat leaders and public figures who are unfair, deceitful, lustful, and sinfullike David should not be our point of reference because they are not goodexamples for many people. Theteacher tried to calm the situation, because the provocation of that girl madethe entire class noisy as the students were speaking and cursing the characterof David. The teacher assured them all, that the figure of David has much incommon with many other historical figures in the world. They are not free frommistakes and sins. They are the ones who actually create injustice. Therefore,God wants to provide justice according to His will, even if it comes throughthe wrong way and sinful person. God's justice must remain victorious and mustnot be defeated by any evil behaviour. There was a young man involving in anunhealthy relationship. He impregnated his girlfriend and his studies wereinterrupted. His behaviour at home was getting worst. He easily got angry and couldfight blindly. Anyway, he acted unfairly, out of justice. However,his parents were not hopeless. They chose the path of justice. It is a way oflove for their son. The son then felt welcomed. He was not treated as a failureand sinner. Both parents were actually practicing the triumph of God's justice.We learn from David, that if justice only follows human will, what will happenis injustice. The justice of God will change human injustice into blessing andsalvation.Let's pray. In thename of the Father ... O Father of Mercy, strengthen our obedience andfaithfulness so that we will not be swayed by the various threats around us.Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you ... In the nameof the Father ...