Proclaim Jesus Christ

"For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake." – 2 Corinthians 4:5

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, each follower of Jesus who has encountered Him personally and lives the values He has taught is also ought to share that faith with his neighbors. This is a call for each Christians. If we have received the faith then we need to understand that it is purely God's gift and his mercy. Jesus has already paid the price for us.

As we know, it is quite challenging in this modern world to preach the gospel of Christ. Paul is encouraging all those who are involved in such ministries not to lose their hearts. He also reminds us that we are not seeking our glory by proclaiming ourselves but we are to proclaim Jesus and seek His glory.  

Paul is comparing the disciples of Jesus as clay jars which are fragile. The power does not come from us but belongs to God. He is the source. We are to be his faithful slaves who seek God's glory. Paul also reminds us that in the process of our ministry in proclaiming the gospel we will have to face afflictions and persecutions but at the same time we won't be crushed or forsaken.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in the true path. Let the life of Jesus be visible for others in and through our lives. Let our lights shine in the darkness.  Amen.

 

Bible Reflection on 2 Corinthians 4:1-9 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

New creation

''If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away.  Behold, the new has come" - 2 Corinthians 5:17

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This line of reflection invites us to live happily in the present moment while being grateful for the blessings, graces, joys, and sorrows that have occurred in the past. Our past is an inseparable part of our lives, but that doesn't mean we should dwell in it. Whatever happened in the past is a story that we cannot deny, but we must accept it with gratitude because God certainly always has a plan for us behind every event and occurrence. When we receive baptism as Christians, we become new creations, new people. We should live as new people in Christ, doing deeds of light such as goodness, joy, peace, and so on.   Our lifetime here on earth is too short for us to always grieving the past.

We are invited to fully enjoy our present life by doing good deeds.  Why do we wanted to live in darkness just because we want to enjoy life?  Maybe some of us still enjoying debauchery which is then spiced up with drunkenness, slandering and killing people with our tongues and actions, jealousy, laziness?  Actually it’s brings anxiety that will never end in our lives.  In this holy Lenten season, let us freely leave our old live and embrace our life as children of God.  Our conscience longs for a quiet life full of peace in planning the future, a life full of confidence in God's love in the present.  If we cannot accept our past, we cannot enjoy the present and also cannot focus on preparing for the future.  

Didn't Jesus allow all events to happen in our lives?  If up to now we are still "tortured" by the past, let's believe in God that everything happens with His permission.  Make peace with the past, be grateful that we are still given health and fresh breath until now.  Let's fight together to do God's will so that one day we can be happy together in the kingdom of heaven.  Amen.

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 by Sr Yanti Purnawati SFSC

Memperhatikan Hal Yang Tidak Kelihatan

Sebab kami tidak memperhatikan yang kelihatan, melainkan yang tak kelihatan, karena yang kelihatan adalah sementara, sedangkan yang tak kelihatan adalah kekal – 2 Korintus 4: 18

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Ketika kita bercermin, kita melihat bentuk wajah kita, rambut, dan tubuh kita secara fisik. Ketika kita berjalan – jalan disore hari kita melihat pohon-pohon dan pemandangan yang kita lewati. Kita mensyukuri hal-hal indah yang kelihatan ini.

Tetapi bagaimana dengan hal yang tidak kelihatan? 2 Korinstus 5: 7 mengatakan "Sebab hidup kami ini adalah hidup karena percaya bukan karena melihat". Iman membuat kita percaya akan janji Tuhan dalam tiap langkah hidup kita, dan bagi masa depan kita. 

Saat ini mungkin kita sedang mengalami masalah kehidupan, kita melihat apa dampak masalah itu bagi kehidupan kita, bagi hubungan kita dengan sesama, bagi finansial kita atau pun bagi masa depan kita. Kita tidak tahu kemana masalah ini akan membawa kita, tetapi percaya dan Imani bahwa ada hal-hal yang tidak kelihatan yang sudah dirancang Tuhan untuk masa depan kita. 

Tidak semua hal penting dapat terlihat. Terkadang, pekerjaan terpenting dalam hidup kita terjadi di balik layar. 

Percayalah akan Kasih Karunia Allah maka kesulitan hidup kita akan diubah menjadi "Kemuliaan Kekal". Amin.

 

Refleksi dari 2 Korintus 4: 10-18 oleh Meist. 

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