Readings and meditation on the Word of God on the 15th Sunday in ordinary time, July 13, 2025

Delivered by Christine Gunawan from the Parish of Saint Joseph Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Pontianak and Yurike Gunawan from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Deuteronomy 30: 10-14; Rs psalm 69: 14.17.30-31.33-34.36ab.37; Colossians 1: 15-20; Luke 10: 25-37.THE ONE VERY CLOSE TO US The title for our meditation on this15th Sunday in ordinary  timeis: The One Very Close To Us. Who is very close to us? Who is very close toyou? We can find the basic answer to this question in the second reading oftoday, from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians, that says about Jesusas the firstfruit of all creation, He is the head of all of us as the Church.The relationship between the head and the body is so united and we mean thatunity as an inseparable communion. Based from this understanding, we canhave a framework for further understanding of our closeness with others aroundus. The aspect of closeness comes from God. If some religons or a particular beliefin the world today view God as a very distant Being or unreachable Lord, we asfollowers of Christ do not. God incarnates in this actual world and us whoinhabit it. Jesus Christ teaches us to address the Lord as our"FATHER" who is generous, merciful and full of love. The personification of God as  the "Father" is very well shown byEvan, a grade 3 boy who is student of the elementary school. When asked abouthis understanding of the benevolent and loving God the Father, Evan said likethis: "Even though I did not see God the Father directly, but my fatherand mother always hugg me when I am tired and sick, then I know that God ishere to help me." For Evan, and according to our readings today, the onevery close to us is God Himself. He chooses to be close and living with us. To know and realize the presence ofGod does not need to exhaust our energy, mind, and all efforts to go out fromour places and seek Him. The book of Deuteronomy in the first reading says thatthe Word of God is within us: stored in our hearts, conceptualized in ourminds, arranged in the mouths, and made ready to be used and carried on ourfeet and hands. In short, God himself animates and uses ourselves to live andwork in this world. Jesus Christ explains this closeness by teaching that Godhimself is also found in our neighbors. So the ones who are also very close tous are our neighbors. Before I was present in this world, there were others whohad been ahead of me such as our parents, brothers and sisters. When I enter aplace or area, there are others who have been there first. They are presentwith all their exsisting situations. Included in this are those who suffer, insickness and  the sinners. They have beenthere, ahead of my presence, and it is my duty to be part of their lives. Thereis something more, we have sacred duty to provide assistance or attention tothose who are most in need. You are never alone like an island in the middle ofthe ocean. Let's pray. In the name of theFather... O God the Father who is most generous, make us full of love and tolove our neighbors without counting any cost. Hail Mary full of grace ... Inthe name of the Father...