Fatigatus | Tired

Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well- John 4:6

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There are two verses that touched me from this Scripture.  The first one is verse 6 where it explained that Jesus was very tired from a journey.  The second is verse 21 where Jesus invited the Samaritan woman to trust Him. Often in life we ​​experience fatigue, tiredness, and so on. Sometimes unrealized, we are often tired of our daily tasks, tired of dealing with people whom we are close to and love. Because sometimes these people close to us, are the source of our heartache too. Sometimes some of us even get tired of life and tragically end their lives by committing suicide, just what is happening and go on viral nowadays. As a good Christian, please and please do not ever think to do that.  Just look at Jesus who have His human nature, once felt tired while traveling so far just like us traveling in this world. What Jesus did at that time was first of all to sit down and then after that He asked the Samaritan woman for help (ask for water).

This incident reminds us that when you are tired of life's problems, don't keep running until you run out of breath alone, but sit down slowly, take a breath, then humbly ask for help from others. Communication is very important in overcoming burnout. If communication with others does not help us, then God is always waiting for us to communicate with Him in any situation of life. No need for formal communication but just speak like an innocent child, God will definitely hear.

God is present when we are doubtful and lack of faith. As He talked to the Samaritan woman to trust in Him, so does He talk to us every time we are tired.  If we maintain our faith, there will no longer be stress, depression, heartache and doubt. When we took a flight on a plane or when we travel with a train or various other public transportation, we were able to enjoy it in the passenger seat. We enjoyed the view, enjoyed the gadgets prepared, even while we don't know the pilot of the plane. If we did not know who was the one in control of the vehicle, why are we so anxious when we realize that Jesus himself is in control of our lives? 

And so my brothers and sisters, trust Him at all times.  God bless you all. 

Reflection on John 4: 1-26 by Sr Yanti Purnawati SFSC

(Listen to podcast here)

Lux de caelo | Light from Heaven

"A bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him" — Acts 9:3 (CEV).

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We engage ourselves in many things. Sometimes we make wrong decisions and commit sins though we do not realize it. The circumstances force us to do something. In any situation of our life, the Lord cares for us. God, the Father, loves us and sends his beloved Son Jesus Christ. 

We can meet Jesus during our journey. It would be better if we find time to pray and meet him. But it often happens that we hurry up and cannot spend much time on prayer. Nonetheless, the Holy Spirit touches and enlightens our hearts.

In Saul's case, it was an accident on the road to Damascus. In our case, it can be anything - serious sickness, broken marriage, job loss, etc. When we are lonely and weak, it is the best occasion for the Lord to take an action. As Christians, we usually surrender to Jesus when we experience troubles. We need to know that Jesus comes to our life through good people. We are to acknowledge that we cannot manage everything on our own. We are like children who should be led by the hand. So let's trust in the Lord and in other people whom God sends as his messengers. May the divine light embrace us and set us free from our weaknesses and problems. 

 

Reflection on Acts 9:1-9 by Fr. Józef Trzebuniak, SVD

(Listen to the Podcast here)

Diligite bonum (Am. 5:15)

There are so many good things and bad things around us and they walk together. It is like a tsunami that brings all trash in human life. How can we differentiate good and evil? The moral principle encourages us to do good and avoid evil. This principle guides us to achieve happiness in life and to keep good relationships with God and others.

We seek goodness in God because he is the source of goodness and truth. Moreover, we direct ourselves to Him. His goodness is proven by giving his Only-begotten Son Jesus Christ to the world. He died on the cross to redeem our sins. No one in the world wants to die in such a painful way as a result of the faults of others.

Through Jesus Christ, we know who God is. God and Jesus are one. Jesus says that whoever sees him, he sees his Father and whoever sees his Father, he sees him. Jesus knows God personally so he calls God his Father.

Obviously, there are many names of God we can mention. In the Old Testament God is called Yahweh. In the New Testament, God appears as Father. All of us are his children who look for Father’s love. God is also a Good Shepherd-Jesus Christ himself. We find salvation in him.

Seeking God doesn’t mean always following the right way. Sometimes in our journey of faith, we are lost. We do not know how to go back. However, God is our Father who waits for his beloved child to return home. Jesus Christ is a Good Shepherd who seeks us day by day until he finds us and unites with God.

God and humans are partners who look for one another. Let us realize God's presence in our life. Let us look for the Holy Spirit who makes us grow and be fruitful. Let us follow his guidance.

By Fr Aris Mada, SVD.