Saint Hilarius

Saint Hilarius was the forty-sixth pope of the Catholic Church. He was born on Sardinia, a large Italian island west of the mainland. Under Pope Leo I, he was sent as a legate to the Second Council of Ephesus. When Pope Leo I died, he was chosen as his immediate successor. During his pontificate, he continued most of his predecessor's policies.

Pope Hilarius made efforts to settle disputes between bishops serving in Spain and Gaul and was instrumental in strengthening the church administration in those two regions. He also decreed that no Bishop should leave his diocese without the consent of his Metropolitan and that he should not appoint his own successor or be transferred from one diocese to another. 

Saint Hilarius also built buildings and churches around Rome during his Papacy. These included convents, chapels, libraries, and oratories. He died in 468 AD, on 29 February. Following a death of natural causes, he was buried outside the Walls in the Basilica of St. Lawrence. 

Saint Hilarius, pray for us that we may never tire of learning more about God and His Church.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Friday of week 7 in Ordinary Time / Ordinary Weekday.

28 February 2025 (Friday)

Friday of week 7 in Ordinary Time.

Ordinary Weekday.

First Reading: Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 6: 5-17

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 119: 12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35

Alleluia: John 17: 17b, 17a

Gospel: Mark 10: 1-12

First Reading : 

Ecclesiasticus 6:5‐17

A kindly turn of speech multiplies a man’s friends, and a courteous way of speaking invites many a friendly reply. Let your acquaintances be many, but your advisers one in a thousand. If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and be in no hurry to trust him; for one kind of friend is only so when it suits him but will not stand by you in your day of trouble. Another kind of friend will fall out with you and to your dismay make the quarrel public, and a third kind of friend will share your table, but not stand by you in your day of trouble: when you are doing well he will be your second self, ordering your servants about; but if ever you are brought low he will turn against you and will hide himself from you. Keep well clear of your enemies, and be wary of your friends. A faithful friend is a sure shelter, whoever finds one has found a rare treasure. A faithful friend is something beyond price, there is no measuring his worth. A faithful friend is the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find one. Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends, for as a man is, so is his friend.

Responsive Psalm : 

Psalm 118(119):12,16,18,27,34‐35

Guide me, Lord, in the path of your commands.

Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes. I take delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Guide me, Lord, in the path of your commands.

Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of your law. Make me grasp the way of your precepts and I will muse on your wonders.

Guide me, Lord, in the path of your commands.

Train me to observe your law, to keep it with my heart. Guide me in the path of your commands; for there is my delight.

Guide me, Lord, in the path of your commands.

Second Reading :

There is no Second Reading.

Alleluia: John 17: 17b, 17a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

17b, 17a Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

(17. Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth).

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : 

Mark 10:1‐12

Jesus came to the district of Judaea and the far side of the Jordan. And again crowds gathered round him, and again he taught them, as his custom was. Some Pharisees approached him and asked, ‘Is it against the law for a man to divorce his wife?’ They were testing him. He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’ ‘Moses allowed us’ they said ‘to draw up a writ of dismissal and so to divorce.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘It was because you were so unteachable that he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. This is why a man must leave father and mother, and the two become one body. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.’ Back in the house the disciples questioned him again about this, and he said to them, ‘The man who divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another she is guilty of adultery too.’

Words of the Holy Father:

God’s faith in man and in woman, those to whom he entrusted the earth, is generous, direct and full. He trusts them. But then the devil introduces suspicion into their minds, disbelief, distrust, and finally, disobedience to the commandment that protected them. They fall into that delirium of omnipotence that pollutes everything and destroys harmony. We too feel it inside of us, all of us, frequently. Sin generates distrust and division between man and woman. (…) The social devaluation for the stable and generative alliance between man and woman is certainly a loss for everyone. We must return marriage and the family to the place of honour! The Bible says something beautiful: man finds woman, they meet and man must leave something in order to find her fully. That is why man will leave his father and mother to go to her. It’s beautiful! This means setting out on a new path. Man is everything for woman and woman is everything for man. (General Audience, 22 April 2015)

Beata Antonia, Abbas.

Beata Antonia adalah seorang ibu rumah tangga yang saleh. Sepeninggal suaminya, ia memutuskan untuk mengabdikan sisa hidupnya kepada Tuhan dengan menjalani kehidupan sebagai seorang biarawati.

Kemudian dengan bantuan Santo Yohanes Kapistrano, ia mendirikan sebuah biara Claris yang lebih tegas aturannya di Firenze, Italia. Ia sendiri menjadi pemimpin biara itu, hingga kematiannya pada tahun 1472.

Santo Hilarius, Paus.

Santo Hilarius berasal dari Sardinia. Ia terpilih menjadi Paus menggantikan Paus Leo I (440 461) pada tanggal 19 November 461. Sebelum menjadi Paus, Hilarius melayani umat sebagai diakon selama masa kepemimpinan Paus Leo I. Ketika diadakan Konsili di Efesus pada tahun 449 untuk membicarakan tindakan ekskomunikasi atas diri Eutyches, seorang penyebar ajaran sesat, Hilarius di utus sebagai wakil Paus Leo I

Selama kepemimpinannya sebagai Paus, Hilarius mengawasi pembangunan beberapa gedung Gereja di Roma. Salah satunya adalah Oratorium yang dipersembahkan kepada santo Yohanes Penginjil. Selain itu, ia juga berusaha menyelesaikan berbagai masalah yang terjadi dalam tubuh gereja sendiri. Dalam kerangka itu, ia memimpin sebuah sinode di Roma pada tanggal 19 November 462 untuk membicarakan berbagai masalah yang ada di dalam gereja di Gaul, Prancis. Selanjutnya pada tanggal 19 November 465, ia mengadakan lagi sebuah sinode untuk membicarakan hal pengangkatan dan kuasa yuridiksi para uskup Spanyol.

Santo Hilarius meninggal dunia pada tahun 29 Februari 468 dan dimakamkan di Gereja Santo Laurentius di Roma.

Hari biasa

Sir. 6:5-17; Mzm. 119:12,16,18,27,34,35; 

Mrk. 10:1-12

Warna Liturgi Hijau

Sir 6:5 Tenggorokan yang manis mendapat banyak sahabat, dan keramahan diperbanyak oleh lidah yang manis lembut.

Sir 6:6 Mudah-mudahan orang yang damai denganmu banyak adanya, tetapi hanya satu dari seribu hendakriya menjadi penasehatmu.

Sir 6:7 Jika engkau mau mendapat sahabat, kajilah dia dahulu, dan jangan segera percaya padanya.

Sir 6:8 Sebab ada orang yang bersahabat hanya menurut ketikanya sendiri, tetapi pada hari kesukaranmu tidak bertahan.

Sir 6:9 Ada juga sahabat yang berubah menjadi musuh, lalu menceritakan persengketaan untuk menistakan dikau.

Sir 6:10 Ada lagi sahabat yang ikut serta dalam perjamuan makan, tapi tidak bertahan pada hari kesukaranmu.

Sir 6:11 Pada waktu engkau sejahtera ia adalah seperti engkau sendiri dan lancang berbicara dengan seisi rumahmu.

Sir 6:12 Tetapi bila engkau mundur maka ia berbalik melawan dikau serta menyembunyikan diri terhadapmu.

Sir 6:13 Jauhkanlah diri dari para musuhmu, tetapi berhati-hatilah terhadap para sahabatmu.

Sir 6:14 Sahabat setiawari merupakan perlindungan yang kokoh, barangsiapa menemukan orang serupa itu sungguh mendapat harta.

Sir 6:15 Sahabat setiawan tiada ternilai, dan harganya tidak ada tertimbang.

Sir 6:16 Sahabat setiawan adalah obat kehidupan, orang yang takut akan Tuhan memperolehnya.

Sir 6:17 Orang yang takut akan Tuhan memelihara persahabatan dengan lurus hati, sebab seperti ia sendiri demikianpun temannya.

Mzm 119:12 Terpujilah Engkau, ya TUHAN; ajarkanlah ketetapan-ketetapan-Mu kepadaku.

Mzm 119:16 Aku akan bergemar dalam ketetapan-ketetapan-Mu; firman-Mu tidak akan kulupakan.

Mzm 119:18 Singkapkanlah mataku, supaya aku memandang keajaiban-keajaiban dari Taurat-Mu.

Mzm 119:27 Buatlah aku mengerti petunjuk titah-titah-Mu, supaya aku merenungkan perbuatan-perbuatan-Mu yang ajaib.

Mzm 119:34 Buatlah aku mengerti, maka aku akan memegang Taurat-Mu; aku hendak memeliharanya dengan segenap hati.

Mzm 119:35 Biarlah aku hidup menurut petunjuk perintah-perintah-Mu, sebab aku menyukainya.

Mrk 10:1 Dari situ Yesus berangkat ke daerah Yudea dan ke daerah seberang sungai Yordan dan di situpun orang banyak datang mengerumuni Dia; dan seperti biasa Ia mengajar mereka pula.

Mrk 10:2 Maka datanglah orang-orang Farisi, dan untuk mencobai Yesus mereka bertanya kepada-Nya: "Apakah seorang suami diperbolehkan menceraikan isterinya?"

Mrk 10:3 Tetapi jawab-Nya kepada mereka: "Apa perintah Musa kepada kamu?"

Mrk 10:4 Jawab mereka: "Musa memberi izin untuk menceraikannya dengan membuat surat cerai."

Mrk 10:5 Lalu kata Yesus kepada mereka: "Justru karena ketegaran hatimulah maka Musa menuliskan perintah ini untuk kamu.

Mrk 10:6 Sebab pada awal dunia, Allah menjadikan mereka laki-laki dan perempuan,

Mrk 10:7 sebab itu laki-laki akan meninggalkan ayahnya dan ibunya dan bersatu dengan isterinya,

Mrk 10:8 sehingga keduanya itu menjadi satu daging. Demikianlah mereka bukan lagi dua, melainkan satu.

Mrk 10:9 Karena itu, apa yang telah dipersatukan Allah, tidak boleh diceraikan manusia."

Mrk 10:10 Ketika mereka sudah di rumah, murid-murid itu bertanya pula kepada Yesus tentang hal itu.

Mrk 10:11 Lalu kata-Nya kepada mereka: "Barangsiapa menceraikan isterinya lalu kawin dengan perempuan lain, ia hidup dalam perzinahan terhadap isterinya itu.

Mrk 10:12 Dan jika si isteri menceraikan suaminya dan kawin dengan laki-laki lain, ia berbuat zinah."

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Gregory of Narek

Saint Gregory of Narek was an Armenian monk and mystic who lived in the 10th century. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest spiritual teachers of his time, and his profound insights on prayer, repentance, and the pursuit of divine love continue to inspire the faithful to deepen their relationship with God.

                                                                                Saint Gregory of Narek was born into a family of scholars and religious leaders. His mother died when he was young. Gregory and his older brother Hovhannes were sent to live at the Monastery of Narek under the guardianship of their maternal great-uncle Abbot Anania, the monastery's founder. He instilled in Gregory a deep love for learning and a strong devotion to his faith. At about the age of twenty-six, Gregory was ordained a priest for the monastery and remained there for the rest of his life, teaching theology in the monastery's school. 

The loss of his mother early in life led Gregory to a deep devotion to our Blessed Mother. He later wrote, "This spiritual, heavenly mother of light cared for me as a son more than an earthly, breathing, physical mother could." Shortly after his ordination to the priesthood, Gregory wrote a commentary on the Song of Songs. He also wrote commentary on the Book of Job, numerous chants, homilies, and speeches that sang the praises of holy men.

Toward the end of his life, he wrote his most famous work, 'The Book of Lamentations,' or, as it is commonly known today, 'The Book of Narek.' This book is a compilation of ninety-five prayers. Each prayer begins with the phrase, "Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart." The prayers then go on to express the deepest love of God by a soul that seems troubled and even tormented at times. The torment, however, is not despair but an interior expression of hope from a soul who is in touch with his fallen humanity and sin while at the same time keenly aware of God's mercy. St. Gregory encouraged others to seek out a life of humility and devotion, recognizing that it is only through our relationship with God that we can find true peace and fulfillment.

Saint Gregory of Narek intercede on our behalf and help us to deepen our relationship with God in all aspects of our lives.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Thursday of week 7 in Ordinary Time or Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church / Ordinary Weekday.

27 February 2025 (Thursday)

Thursday of week 7 in Ordinary Time or Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church.

Ordinary Weekday.

First Reading: Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 5: 1-8

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 1: 1-2, 3, 4 and 6

Alleluia: First Thessalonians 2: 13

Gospel: Mark 9: 41-50

First Reading : 

Ecclesiasticus 5:1‐8

Do not give your heart to your money, or say, ‘With this I am self‐sufficient.’ Do not be led by your appetites and energy to follow the passions of your heart.

And do not say, ‘Who has authority over me?’ for the Lord will certainly be avenged on you. Do not say, ‘I sinned, and what happened to me?’ for the Lord’s forbearance is long.

Do not be so sure of forgiveness that you add sin to sin. And do not say, ‘His compassion is great, he will forgive me my many sins’; for with him are both mercy and wrath, and his rage bears heavy on sinners.

Do not delay your return to the Lord, do not put it off day after day; for suddenly the Lord’s wrath will blaze out, and at the time of vengeance you will be utterly destroyed. Do not set your heart on ill‐gotten gains, they will be of no use to you on the day of disaster.

Responsive Psalm : 

Psalm 1:1‐4,6

Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.

Happy indeed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked; nor lingers in the way of sinners nor sits in the company of scorners, but whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponders his law day and night.

Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.

He is like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters, that yields its fruit in due season and whose leaves shall never fade; and all that he does shall prosper.

Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.

Not so are the wicked, not so! For they like winnowed chaff shall be driven away by the wind: for the Lord guards the way of the just but the way of the wicked leads to doom.

Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.

Second Reading :

There is no Second Reading.

Alleluia: First Thessalonians 2: 13

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

13 Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.

(13. Another reason why we continually thank God for you is that as soon as you heard the word that we brought you as God's message, you welcomed it for what it really is, not the word of any human being, but God's word, a power that is working among you believers).

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : 

Mark 9:41‐50

Jesus said to his disciples:

  ‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.

  ‘But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out. And if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die nor their fire go out. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is a good thing, but if salt has become insipid, how can you season it again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.’

Words of the Holy Father:

Jesus’ exhortation : instead of judging everything and everyone, let us be attentive to  ourselves! Indeed, the risk is to be inflexible towards others and indulgent towards ourselves. And Jesus urges us not to make a deal with evil, with striking images: “If something in you causes you to sin, cut it off!” (cf. vv. 43-48). If something harms you, cut it off! He does not say, “If something is a reason for scandal, stop, think about it, improve a bit…”. No: “Cut it off! Immediately! Jesus is radical in this, demanding, but for our own good, like a good doctor. Every cut, every pruning, is so we can grow better and bear fruit in love. Let us then ask ourselves: what is in me that is contrary to the Gospel? What, in concrete terms, does Jesus want me to cut out of my life? (Angelus, 26 September 2021)

Santo Gabriel Possenti, Pengaku Iman.

Semasa kecilnya Santo Gabriel dipanggil dengan nama Fransiskus, mengikuti nama dari Fransiskus dari Asisi, pelindung kotanya. Ia adalah anak bungsu seorang Gubernur. Ibunya meninggal dunia ketika ia masih berumur 4 tahun. Teladan hidup ibunya sangat berpengaruh terutama dalam hal devosi kepada Bunda Maria. Sepeninggal ibunya yang terkasih itu, Bunda Maria menjadi tokoh pengganti yang sungguh dikasihinya.

Pada umur 7 tahun, Fransiskus kecil telah diperkenankan menerima Komuni Suci. Di sekolahnya ia dikenal sebagai seorang anak yang pintar, lucu dan suka berpakaian rapi. Ia juga menjadi seorang teman yang baik dan setia bagi kawan  kawannya. Ia selalu siap menolong kawan  kawannya, murah hati dan tidak biasa mengeluh apabila dihukum karena kesalahan teman  temannya. Sebagai siswa di Kolose Serikat Yesus, ia tetap unggul dan terus menerus memegang sebutan Sang Juara dalam kelasnya. Karena pergaulannya yang ramah dan kelincahannya dalam olah raga, ia sangat disukai banyak orang.

Dalam mata pelajaran kesustraan, ia sangat pandai, terutama dalam sastra Latin. Ia sangat mahir bersyair dalam bahasa Latin. Sebagai seorang penggemar Sastra, ia terkenal sebagai seorang pemain drama yang berbakat. Ketika duduk di kelas terakhir, ia diangkat sebagai Ketua Akademis para Siswa dan menjadi Prefek Kongregasi Maria. Sifatnya yang mengingini kesenangan  kesenagan duniawi masih tetap menonjol dalam praktek hidupnya. Ia suka membaca buku-buku roman, menonton sandiwara, berburu dan berdansa. Kehidupan rohani kurang diindahkannya. Namun rencana Tuhan atas dirinya tampak jelas. Tuhan tetap membimbingnya. Pada hari Raya Maria Diangkat Ke Surga, tanggal 15 Agustus 1855, diadakan perarakan Patung Bunda Maria mengelilingi kota Spoleta. Uskup Agung kota Spoleta sendiri membawa patung itu. Ketika itu Fransiskus mendengar suara panggilan bunda Maria: "Fransiskus, engkau tidak diciptakan untuk dunia ini, tetapi untuk menjalani kehidupan bakti kepada Allah di dalam Biara." Fransiskus mendengar suara itu dengan takut. Semenjak saat itu tumbuhlah keinginan untuk masuk biara. Dia tidak melamar masuk Serikat Yesus, tempat ia bersekolah, tetapi melamar masuk Kongregasi Imam Imam Passionis.

Di dalam Kongregasi Passionis inilah ia mengganti namanya dengan Gabriel. Pada tahun 1856 ia menerima jubah Kongregasi Passionis. Namun kehidupan biaranya di biara ini tidak lama. Ia meninggal dunia pada tahun 1862 setelah berhasil menempa dirinya menjadi seorang biarawan Passionis sejati. Selama berada di dalam biara, Gabriel sungguh menunjukkan kesungguhan dalam menata hidup rohaninya. Ia benar  benar mencintai Yesus tersalib dan Bunda Maria yang berduka. Devosi kepada Bunda Maria yang telah dilakukannnya sejak kecil terus dilakukannya hingga menjadikan hidupnya suci. Kesuciannya ternyata dari banyak mukjizat yang terjadi pada setiap orang yang berdoa dengan perantaraanya. Gabriel menjadi seorang tokoh panutan para kaum muda.

Santo Leander, Uskup.

Santo Leander yang menjabat sebagai Uskup Sevilla, Spanyol ini adalah abang kepada Santo Isodorus. Adik - adiknya iaitu Santa Florentina dan Fulgentius dinyatakan sebagai kudus juga oleh Gereja. Dengan kesalehan hidupnya dan pengaruhnya yang besar, uskup Leander berhasil menghantar kembali Raja Harmenegild dan Rekkared berserta seluruh bangsawan Wisigoth ke dalam pangkuan Gereja Katolik.

Santo Leander yang dilahirkan pada tahun 540 ini menghembuskan nafas penghabisan pada tahun 600 di Sevilla, Spanyol. Jabatannya sebagai Uskup diambil alih oleh adiknya Santo Isodorus.

Hari biasa

Sir. 5:1-8; Mzm. 1:1-2,3,4,6; Mrk. 9:41-50

Warna Liturgi Hijau

Sir 5:1 Jangan mengandalkan kekayaanmu, dan jangan berkata: "Ini cukup bagiku."

Sir 5:2 Hati dan kekuatanmu jangan kauturut untuk berlaku sesuai dengan hawa nafsu hatimu.

Sir 5:3 Jangan berkata: "Siapa berkuasa atas diriku?" Memang Tuhan akan menghukum engkau dengan keras.

Sir 5:4 Jangan berkata: "Betul, aku sudah berdosa, tetapi apakah menimpa diriku? Sebab Tuhan panjang hati."

Sir 5:5 Jangan menyangka pengampunan terjamin, sehingga engkau menimbun dosa demi dosa.

Sir 5:6 Jangan berkata: "Memang belas kasihan-Nya besar, dosaku yang banyak ini pasti diampuni-Nya." Sebab baik belas kasihan rnaupun kemurkaan ada pada Tuhan, dan geram-Nya turun atas orang jahat.

Sir 5:7 Jangan menunda-nunda berbalik kepada Tuhan, jangan kautangguhkan dari hari ke hari. kemurkaan Tuhan, dan pada saat hukuman engkau dihancurkan.

Sir 5:8 Jangan percaya pada harta benda yang diperoleh dengan tidak adil, sebab tidak berguna sedikitpun pada hari sial.

Mzm 1:1 Berbahagialah orang yang tidak berjalan menurut nasihat orang fasik, yang tidak berdiri di jalan orang berdosa, dan yang tidak duduk dalam kumpulan pencemooh,

Mzm 1:2 tetapi yang kesukaannya ialah Taurat TUHAN, dan yang merenungkan Taurat itu siang dan malam.

Mzm 1:3 Ia seperti pohon, yang ditanam di tepi aliran air, yang menghasilkan buahnya pada musimnya, dan yang tidak layu daunnya; apa saja yang diperbuatnya berhasil.

Mzm 1:4 Bukan demikian orang fasik: mereka seperti sekam yang ditiupkan angin.

Mzm 1:6 sebab TUHAN mengenal jalan orang benar, tetapi jalan orang fasik menuju kebinasaan.

Mrk 9:41 Aku berkata kepadamu: Sesungguhnya barangsiapa memberi kamu minum secangkir air oleh karena kamu adalah pengikut Kristus, ia tidak akan kehilangan upahnya."

Mrk 9:42 "Barangsiapa menyesatkan salah satu dari anak-anak kecil yang percaya ini, lebih baik baginya jika sebuah batu kilangan diikatkan pada lehernya lalu ia dibuang ke dalam laut.

Mrk 9:43 Dan jika tanganmu menyesatkan engkau, penggallah, karena lebih baik engkau masuk ke dalam hidup dengan tangan kudung dari pada dengan utuh kedua tanganmu dibuang ke dalam neraka, ke dalam api yang tak terpadamkan;

Mrk 9:44 (di tempat itu ulatnya tidak akan mati, dan apinya tidak akan padam.)

Mrk 9:45 Dan jika kakimu menyesatkan engkau, penggallah, karena lebih baik engkau masuk ke dalam hidup dengan timpang, dari pada dengan utuh kedua kakimu dicampakkan ke dalam neraka;

Mrk 9:46 (di tempat itu ulatnya tidak akan mati, dan apinya tidak akan padam.)

Mrk 9:47 Dan jika matamu menyesatkan engkau, cungkillah, karena lebih baik engkau masuk ke dalam Kerajaan Allah dengan bermata satu dari pada dengan bermata dua dicampakkan ke dalam neraka,

Mrk 9:48 di mana ulat-ulat bangkai tidak mati dan api tidak padam.

Mrk 9:49 Karena setiap orang akan digarami dengan api.

Mrk 9:50 Garam memang baik, tetapi jika garam menjadi hambar, dengan apakah kamu mengasinkannya? Hendaklah kamu selalu mempunyai garam dalam dirimu dan selalu hidup berdamai yang seorang dengan yang lain."

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Porphyrius

Saint Porphyrius was the Archbishop of Gaza and made significant contributions to Christianity. He is recognized for his efforts to Christianize the predominantly pagan population of Gaza, as described in his biography, Vita Porphyrii, by Mark the Deacon. Born into a wealthy family in Thessaloniki in 346, Porphyrius chose a monastic life early on. At twenty-five, he left Thessaloniki for Egypt, where he lived under Saint Macarios the Great in the Nitrian Desert and met Saint Jerome. Later, he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, seeking to venerate the Cross of the Lord.

After five years of asceticism, Porphyrius fell seriously ill and returned to Jerusalem to pray for healing. At Golgotha, he fell into a trance and envisioned Jesus, who instructed him to "Take this Wood and preserve it." Upon awakening, he was healed and chose to donate his wealth to the poor, working as a shoemaker. At forty-five, he was ordained by the Patriarch of Jerusalem and became the custodian of the Holy Cross. In 395 AD, after the death of Gaza's bishop, Metropolitan John appointed Porphyrius to combat the hostility of pagans in Gaza. Despite initial apprehension, he accepted the role with dedication.

In 401 AD, the emperor issued an edict that led to the destruction of pagan temples in Gaza and supported the construction of a church on the site of a significant pagan temple. This church was completed in 425 AD, after the death of Porphyrius, who had guided his community for twenty-five years until he passed away in 420 AD. During his lifetime, he performed numerous miracles and healings. The Crusaders rebuilt the church in the 1150s, dedicating it to St. Porphyrius. A renovation took place in 1856, and much of the church still stands today, reflecting the region's rich Christian history.

Saint Porphyrius, obtain for us the strength and wisdom to walk the path of humility and love in our lives.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

26 FebruarWednesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time / Ordinary Weekday.

26 February 2025 (Wednesday).

Wednesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time.

Ordinary Weekday

First Reading: Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 4: 11-19

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 119: 165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175

Alleluia: John 14: 6

Gospel: Mark 9: 38-40

First Reading : 

Ecclesiasticus 4:12‐22

Wisdom brings up her own sons, and cares for those who seek her. Whoever loves her loves life, those who wait on her early will be filled with happiness. Whoever holds her close will inherit honour, and wherever he walks the Lord will bless him. Those who serve her minister to the Holy One, and the Lord loves those who love her. Whoever obeys her judges aright, and whoever pays attention to her dwells secure. If he trusts himself to her he will inherit her, and his descendants will remain in possession of her; for though she takes him at first through winding ways, bringing fear and faintness on him, plaguing him with her discipline until she can trust him, and testing him with her ordeals, in the end she will lead him back to the straight road and reveal her secrets to him. If he wanders away she will abandon him, and hand him over to his fate.

Responsive Psalm : 

Psalm 118(119):165,168,171‐172,174‐175

The lovers of your law have great peace, O Lord.

The lovers of your law have great peace; they never stumble. I obey your precepts and your will; all that I do is before you.

The lovers of your law have great peace, O Lord.

Let my lips proclaim your praise because you teach me your statutes. Let my tongue sing your promise for your commands are just.

The lovers of your law have great peace, O Lord.

Lord, I long for your saving help and your law is my delight. Give life to my soul that I may praise you. Let your decrees give me help.

The lovers of your law have great peace, O Lord.

Second Reading :

There is no Second Reading.

Alleluia: John 14: 6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

6 I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

(6. Jesus said: I am the Way; I am Truth and Life. No one can come to the Father except through me).

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : 

Mark 9:38‐40

John said to Jesus, ‘Master, we saw a man who is not one of us casting out devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said, ‘You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.’

Words of the Holy Father:

The Gospel of today’s Liturgy recounts a brief dialogue between Jesus and the Apostle John, who speaks on behalf of the entire group of disciples. They saw a man who was casting out demons in the name of the Lord, but they stopped him because he was not part of their group. At this point, Jesus invited them not to hinder those who do good, because they contribute to the fulfilment of God’s plan (cf. Mk 9:38-41). (…) Jesus’ words reveal a temptation, and offer an exhortation. The temptation is to be “closed off”. The disciples would like to hinder a good deed simply because it is performed by someone who does not belong to their group. They think they have the “exclusive right over Jesus”, and that they are the only ones authorised to work for the Kingdom of God. But this way, they end up feeling that they are privileged and consider others as outsiders, to the extent of becoming hostile towards them. Brothers and sisters, every closure tends in fact to keep us at a distance from those who do not think like we do, and this — we know —  is the root of many great evils in history: of absolutism that has often generated dictatorships and of great violence towards those who are different. But we need to be vigilant about closure in the Church too. Because the devil, who is the divider — this is what the word “devil” means, the one who divides — always insinuates suspicions to divide and exclude people. (Angelus, 26 September 2021)

Santo Porphyrius dari Gaza, Uskup.

Santo Porphyrius dari Gaza (meninggal dunia pada tahun 420) Uskup Gaza dari tahun 395 hingga 420, dapat dikenali dari kisah melalui riwayat hidupnya, karena mengkristenkan kota Gaza yang kafir, menegakkan keadilan di Palestina dan juga menghancurkan kuil-kuil kafirnya. Sebelumnya dia adalah seorang pertapa. Dia dilahirkan di Yunani dan meninggal dunia pada tahun 420. Dia juga dikenali sebagai Porphyry sebagai panggilan namanya. Martirologi Romawi berbunyi: “ Di Gaza, di Palestina, pada masa Kaisar Arcadius, Santo Porphyry, Uskup, yang menggulingkan berhala Marnas dan kuilnya dan setelah banyak penderitaan, pergi beristirahat di dalam Tuhan. ” Santo Porphyrius dari Gaza hanya dapat dikenali daripada biografinya yang jelas oleh Markus seorang Diakon, yang pernah bekerja dengan Uskupnya iaitu Santo Porphyrius dalam pekerjaan mereka menyebarkan Injil kepada orang-orang kafir di Gaza. Ada pula referensi tentang kehidupan Porphyrius oleh Santo Yohanes II, Uskup Yerusalem (meninggal pada tahun 417). 

Setelah lima tahun berada di padang gurun Mesir di Scete, Santo Porphyrius tinggal selama lima tahun lagi di sebuah gua dekat Sungai Yordan. Meskipun kesehatannya sering terganggu, ia sering mengunjungi tempat Penyaliban dan Kebangkitan Tuhan Yesus Kristus. Di sana ia bertemu dengan Markus, yang kemudian menjadi Diakon Gerejanya dan penulis biografinya. Menurut Markus ini , Santo Porphyrius diangkat menjadi Uskup pada usia 45 tahun. Meskipun dia enggan menjadi Uskup, dia menerima pengangkatannya sebagai Uskup dengan semangat dan pengabdian yang besar. Dia juga mempertobatkan hampir seluruh Keuskupannya dan hampir sepenuhnya menghapuskan paganisme di Tahta Sucinya. Untuk melaksanakan penjualan harta benda yang masih dimiliki Santo Porphyrius di kota asalnya, Markus berangkat ke Tesalonika dan, sekembalinya, hasilnya dibahagikan ke biara-biara di Mesir dan kepada mereka yang memerlukan di dalam dan sekitar Yerusalem. 

Pada tahun 392, Santo Porphyrius ditahbiskan menjadi Imam dan kemudian relik Salib Suci dipercayakan kepadanya. Pada tahun 395, dia menjadi Uskup Gaza, kubu kuat paganisme, dengan komuniti Kristian yang tidak penting. Sikap penduduk pagan sangat bermusuhan sehingga dia memohon perlindungan dari Kaisar dan berulang kali memohon agar kuil-kuil pagan dihancurkan. Dia akhirnya memperoleh Dekrit Kekaisaran yang memerintahkan penghancuran tempat-tempat suci pagan di Gaza. Sebuah Gereja Kristen didirikan di lokasi kuil Marnas. Pada tahun 415 Santo Porphyrius menghadiri Konsili Diospolis. Jenazah dia dikatakan telan dimakamkan di Gereja Santo Porphyrius, di Kota Gaza.

Beato Diego Carvalho (Didakus Carvalho).

Beato Diego Carvalho dilahirkan lahir di Koimbra, Portugal pada tahun 1578. Walaupun masih muda, ia senang sekali dengan kegiatan kegiatan kerohanian gereja, yang mempunyai semangat merasul yang tinggi serta berhasrat menjadi misionaris di tanah misi agar bisa mengalami kejadian kejadian istimewa seperti yang dialami oleh para misionaris misionaris. Cita - citanya ini tercapai pada tahun 1608 setelah ia tiba di Jepang sebagai seorang imam misionaris. Dia dikenal sebagai seorang misionaris Yesuit yang unggul. Ia baik dan ramah kepada umatnya, tidak segan terhadap pekerjaan dan perjalanan yang sukar, dan tidak takut menderita. Semua tantangan yang menimpanya bukan alasan untuk mengabaikan tugas pelayanannya kepada umat demi keselamatan mereka dan demi kemuliaan Allah, sebagaimana terungkap di dalam semboyan Serikatnya: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (Demi kemuliaan Allah yang lebih besar).

Beato Diego Carvalho juga mewartakan Injil di wilayah - wilayah yang belum pernah mendengar tentang nama Yesus Kristus dan Injil Nya, dan mendirikan Gereja di wilayah  wilayah itu. Selain berkarya di Jepang, dia juga mewartakan Injil di negeri - negeri lain. Penangkapan dan hukuman mati atas dirinya pada tahun 1624 terjadi tatkala ia baru saja kembali dari suatu perjalanan misinya ke luar negeri. Hukuman mati atas dirinya berlangsung amat keji. Ketika itu musim dingin. Ia dibenamkan ke dalam air sungai yang hampir beku. Selepas seluruh badannya dibekukan, dia dibawa keluar dari air untuk dipukul sehingga hitam biru, kemudian ditenggelamkan semula di dalam sungai. Namun Tuhan menyertainya. Martir suci ini, meskipun penderitaannya hebat menimpa dirinya, dia tetap gembira dan menyanyikan lagu - lagu mazmur dan menghibur orang - orang serani yang datang menyaksikan pelaksanaan hukuman mati atas dirinya. Setelah 12 jam lamanya mengalami penderitaan, dia akhirnya menghembuskan nafas terakhirnya sebagai seorang Martir Kristus yang gagah berani pada usia 46 tahun.

Hari biasa

Sir. 4:11-19; Mzm. 119:165,168,171,172,174,175; Mrk. 9:38-40.

Warna Liturgi Hijau

Sir 4:11 Kebijaksanaan meninggikan segala anaknya, dan orang yang mencarinya dihiraukannya.

Sir 4:12 Siapa yang mencintai kebijaksanaan mencintai kehidupan, dan barangsiapa pagi- pagi menghadapinya akan penuh sukacita.

Sir 4:13 Siapa yang berpaut padanya mewarisi kemuliaan, dan ia diberkati Tuhan di manapun ia berlangkah.

Sir 4:14 Barangsiapa melayani kebijaksanaan bergilir bakti kepada Yang Kudus, dan siapa mencintainya dicintai oleh Tuhan.

Sir 4:15 Siapa mendengarkannya akan memutuskan yang adil, dan aman sentosalah kediaman orang yang mengindahkannya.

Sir 4:16 Jika orang percaya pada kebijaksanaan, niscaya ia mewarisinya, dan keturunannya akan tetap memilikinya.

Sir 4:17 Boleh jadi ia dituntun kebijaksanaan di jalan yang berbelok- belok dahulu, sehingga didatangi ketakutan dan getaran; boleh jadi kebijaksanaan menyiksa dia dengan siasat sampai dapat percaya padanya, dan mengujinya dengan segala aturannya.

Sir 4:18 Tetapi kemudian kebijaksanaan kembali kepadanya dengan kebaikan yang menggembirakan, dan menyingkapkan kepadanya pelbagai rahasia.

Sir 4:19 Jika orang sampai menyimpang, maka dibuang oleh kebijaksanaan dan diserahkan kepada kebinasaan.

Mzm 119:165 Besarlah ketenteraman pada orang-orang yang mencintai Taurat-Mu, tidak ada batu sandungan bagi mereka.

Mzm 119:168 Aku berpegang pada titah-titah-Mu dan peringatan-peringatan-Mu, sebab seluruh hidupku terbuka di hadapan-Mu.

Mzm 119:171 Biarlah bibirku mengucapkan puji-pujian, sebab Engkau mengajarkan ketetapan-ketetapan-Mu kepadaku.

Mzm 119:172 Biarlah lidahku menyanyikan janji-Mu, sebab segala perintah-Mu benar.

Mzm 119:174 Aku rindu kepada keselamatan dari pada-Mu, ya TUHAN, dan Taurat-Mu menjadi kesukaanku.

Mzm 119:175 Biarlah jiwaku hidup, supaya memuji-muji Engkau, dan biarlah hukum-hukum-Mu menolong aku.

Mrk 9:38 Kata Yohanes kepada Yesus: "Guru, kami lihat seorang yang bukan pengikut kita mengusir setan demi nama-Mu, lalu kami cegah orang itu, karena ia bukan pengikut kita."

Mrk 9:39 Tetapi kata Yesus: "Jangan kamu cegah dia! Sebab tidak seorangpun yang telah mengadakan mujizat demi nama-Ku, dapat seketika itu juga mengumpat Aku.

Mrk 9:40 Barangsiapa tidak melawan kita, ia ada di pihak kita.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio

Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio is a patron of travelers. He was born to poor peasants in 1502 at Gudena in the Spanish province of Galicia. He learned the prayers from his parents but had no schooling and could not read or write. When he was twelve, he was seized with an infectious disease. His anxious mother carried him to a little hut far out in the field so that he would infect no one else. While he lay there one day quite helpless and alone, a wolf from the neighboring woods approached by the providence of God and bit open the plague spot, and Sebastian recovered completely. 

In 1533, Blessed Sebastian sailed to Mexico and took on the task of transporting grain and other goods in his own carrier, which enabled him to acquire great wealth. He used the money for worthy purposes while he lived like a poor man. In this way, he won the esteem and the love of the natives and the Spaniards. He married twice, each time choosing a poor but devout young woman, and with their consent, he lived with them in virginal purity. After the death of his second wife, Blessed Sebastian distributed his goods among the poor and entered the Franciscans as a brother. Assigned to the large friary at Puebla de los Angeles, south of Mexico City, Sebastian collected alms for the friars for the next 25 years.

He added certain rigorous penances to his daily labors. His charity to all earned him the nickname “Angel of Mexico.” Sebastian could read the innermost secrets of hearts and could foretell future events. The wildest animals willingly obeyed him, and frequently, when he was in special need, angels brought him assistance in remarkable ways, at times bringing him food, another time protecting him from falling down a precipice, at other times again directing him on the right road. Blessed Sebastian died at the age of 98, on February 25, 1600. 

Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio, obtain for us the grace to serve our Lord with a pure heart in all the circumstances of our lives.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Tuesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time / Ordinary Weekday.

25 February 2025 (Tuesday)

Tuesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time.

Ordinary Weekday.

First Reading: Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 2: 1-11

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 37: 3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40

Alleluia: Galatians 6: 14

Gospel: Mark 9: 30-37

First Reading : 

Ecclesiasticus 2:1‐11

My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal. Be sincere of heart, be steadfast, and do not be alarmed when disaster comes.

Cling to him and do not leave him, so that you may be honoured at the end of your days. Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient, since gold is tested in the fire, and chosen men in the furnace of humiliation.

Trust him and he will uphold you, follow a straight path and hope in him. You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; do not turn aside in case you fall.

You who fear the Lord, trust him, and you will not be baulked of your reward. You who fear the Lord hope for good things, for everlasting happiness and mercy.

Look at the generations of old and see: who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame? Or who ever feared him steadfastly and was left forsaken? Or who ever called out to him, and was ignored? For the Lord is compassionate and merciful, he forgives sins, and saves in days of distress.

Responsive Psalm : 

Psalm 36(37):3‐4,18‐19,27‐28,39‐40

Commit your life to the Lord, trust him and he will act.

If you trust in the Lord and do good, then you will live in the land and be secure. If you find your delight in the Lord, he will grant your heart’s desire.

Commit your life to the Lord, trust him and he will act.

He protects the lives of the upright, their heritage will last for ever. They shall not be put to shame in evil days, in time of famine their food shall not fail.

Commit your life to the Lord, trust him and he will act.

Then turn away from evil and do good and you shall have a home for ever; for the Lord loves justice and will never forsake his friends.

Commit your life to the Lord, trust him and he will act.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord, their stronghold in time of distress. The Lord helps them and delivers them and saves them: for their refuge is in him.

Commit your life to the Lord, trust him and he will act.

Second Reading :

There is no Second Reading.

Alleluia: Galatians 6: 14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

14 May I never boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.

(14. But as for me, it is out of the question that I should boast at all, except of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world).

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : 

Mark 9:30‐37

Jesus and his disciples made their way through Galilee; and he did not want anyone to know, because he was instructing his disciples; he was telling them, ‘The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men; they will put him to death; and three days after he has been put to death he will rise again.’ But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him.

  They came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ They said nothing because they had been arguing which of them was the greatest. So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.’ He then took a little child, set him in front of them, put his arms round him, and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’

Words of the Holy Father:

“If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (v. 35). If you want to be first, you need to get in line, be last, and serve everyone. Through this shocking phrase, the Lord inaugurates a reversal: he overturns the criteria about what truly matters. The value of a person does not depend any more on the role they have, the work they do, the money they have in the bank. No, no, no, it does not depend on this. Greatness and success in God’s eyes are measured differently: they are measured by service. Not on what someone has, but on what someone gives. Do you want to be first? Serve. This is the way.

Today, the word “service” appears a bit hackneyed, worn out by use. But it has a precise and concrete meaning in the Gospel. To serve is not a courteous expression: it means to act like Jesus, who, summing up his life in a few words, said he had come “not to be served, but to serve”. (Angelus, 19 September 2021)

Santa Walburga, Abbas.

Santa Walburga dilahirkan pada tahun 710 di Devonshire, Inggris dalam keluarga aristokrat. Ia adalah putri Santo Richard (Santo Richard Peziarah), raja Kerajaan Saxons di Wessex Inggris. Dua orang saudaranya juga menjadi orang kudus; iaitu Santo Winebald dan Santo Willibaldus. Seorang bapa saudaranya, iaitu adik dari ibunya, adalah Santo Bonifasius, Uskup dan rasul bangsa Jerman yang terkenal itu.

Ketika ia berumur 11 tahun, ayahnya Santo Richard bersama kedua saudaranya berangkat ziarah ke tanah suci Yerusalem. Santa Walburga ditempatkan dalam jagaan di biara susteran Benediktin di Wimborne Dorsetshire Inggris. Ia dididik oleh para biarawati dan akhirnya menjadi seorang suster. Ia tinggal di biara ini selama 26 tahun sampai keberangkatannya ke Jerman pada tahun 748.

Santa Walburga tiba di Jerman sesudah dua saudaranya, Santo Willibaldus dan Santo Winebald, untuk membantu Santo Bonifasius, dalam karya penginjilan diantara bangsa Jerman yang masih kafir. Bersama Santo Bonifasius, mereka mendirikan biara-biara di beberapa wilayah Jerman yang baru menerima iman Kristiani. Selanjutnya Santa Walburga diutus ke biara Benediktin di Heidenheim untuk membantu Santo Winebald yang telah ditunjuk sebagai pimpinan biara tersebut. Sesudah Santo Winebald meninggal dunia pada tahun 761, Santa Walburga ditunjuk untuk menggantikannya dan menjadi abbas untuk seluruh biara yang ada di Jerman. Ia melayani biara - biara ini hingga kematiannya pada tahun 779 di Heidenheim, Jerman.

Dibawah kepemimpinan suster Santa Walburga, biara Heidenheim menjadi terkenal ke seluruh Jerman. Bukan hanya terkenal karena mempraktekkan disiplin hidup membiara yang ketat, namun juga karena suster Santa Walburga, seorang pemimpin biara, diberkati Tuhan dengan karunia penyembuhan. Ia memiliki kuasa atas berbagai macam penyakit dan mampu menyembuhkan orang sakit dengan doa dan minyak pengurapan. Semenjak abad ke sembilan, nama Santa Walburga terkenal luas di kalangan umat Jerman karena semacam minyak pengobatan penyakit, yang mengalir dari batu padas di bawah tempat duduknya di Gereja Salib Suci Eichstatt, Jerman. Minyak ini dapat menyembuhkan berbagai penyakit.

Santa Walburga meninggal dunia dengan tenang pada tahun 25 Februari 779 dan di makamkan di biara tersebut. Pada tahun 870 relikwi-nya dipindahkan ke Gereja Salib Suci Eichstatt, Jerman.

Hari biasa

Sir 2:1-11; Mzm. 37:3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40; Mrk. 9:30-37

Warna Liturgi Hijau

Sir 2:1 Anakku, jikalau engkau bersiap untuk mengabdi kepada Tuhan, maka bersedialah untuk pencobaan.

Sir 2:2 Hendaklah hatimu tabah dan jadi teguh, dan jangan gelisah pada waktu yang malang.

Sir 2:3 Berpautlah kepada Tuhan, jangan murtad dari pada-Nya, supaya engkau dijunjung tinggi pada akhir hidupmu.

Sir 2:4 Segala-galanya yang menimpa dirimu terimalah saja, dan hendaklah sabar dalam segala perubahan kehinaanmu.

Sir 2:5 Sebab emas diuji di dalam api, tetapi orang yang kepadanya Tuhan berkenan dalam kancah penghinaan.

Sir 2:6 Percayalah pada Tuhan maka lapun menghiraukan dikau, ratakanlah jalanmu dan berharaplah kepada-Nya.

Sir 2:7 Kamu yang takut akan Tuhan nantikanlah belas kasihan-Nya, jangan menyimpang, supaya kamu jangan terjatuh.

Sir 2:8 Kamu yang takut akan Tuhan percayalah pada-Nya, niscaya kamu tidak akan kehilangan ganjaranmu.

Sir 2:9 Kamu yang takut akan Tuhan harapkanlah yang baik, sukacita kekal dan belas kasihan.

Sir 2:10 Pandanglah segala angkatan yang sudah-sudah dan perhatikanlah: Siapa gerangan percaya pada Tuhan lalu dikecewakan, siapa bertekun dalam ketakutan kepada-Nya dan telah ditinggalkan, atau siapa berseru kepada-Nya lalu tidak dihiraukan oleh-Nya?

Sir 2:11 Memang Tuhan adalah penyayang dan pengasih, la mengampuni dosa dan menyelamatkan pada saat kemalangan.

Mzm 37:3 Percayalah kepada TUHAN dan lakukanlah yang baik, diamlah di negeri dan berlakulah setia,

Mzm 37:4 dan bergembiralah karena TUHAN; maka Ia akan memberikan kepadamu apa yang diinginkan hatimu.

Mzm 37:18 TUHAN mengetahui hari-hari orang yang saleh, dan milik pusaka mereka akan tetap selama-lamanya;

Mzm 37:19 mereka tidak akan mendapat malu pada waktu kecelakaan, dan mereka akan menjadi kenyang pada hari-hari kelaparan.

Mzm 37:27 Jauhilah yang jahat dan lakukanlah yang baik, maka engkau akan tetap tinggal untuk selama-lamanya;

Mzm 37:28 sebab TUHAN mencintai hukum, dan Ia tidak meninggalkan orang-orang yang dikasihi-Nya. Sampai selama-lamanya mereka akan terpelihara, tetapi anak cucu orang-orang fasik akan dilenyapkan.

Mzm 37:39 Orang-orang benar diselamatkan oleh TUHAN; Ia adalah tempat perlindungan mereka pada waktu kesesakan;

Mzm 37:40 TUHAN menolong mereka dan meluputkan mereka, Ia meluputkan mereka dari tangan orang-orang fasik dan menyelamatkan mereka, sebab mereka berlindung pada-Nya.

Mrk 9:30 Yesus dan murid-murid-Nya berangkat dari situ dan melewati Galilea, dan Yesus tidak mau hal itu diketahui orang;

Mrk 9:31 sebab Ia sedang mengajar murid-murid-Nya. Ia berkata kepada mereka: "Anak Manusia akan diserahkan ke dalam tangan manusia, dan mereka akan membunuh Dia, dan tiga hari sesudah Ia dibunuh Ia akan bangkit."

Mrk 9:32 Mereka tidak mengerti perkataan itu, namun segan menanyakannya kepada-Nya.

Mrk 9:33 Kemudian tibalah Yesus dan murid-murid-Nya di Kapernaum. Ketika Yesus sudah di rumah, Ia bertanya kepada murid-murid-Nya: "Apa yang kamu perbincangkan tadi di tengah jalan?"

Mrk 9:34 Tetapi mereka diam, sebab di tengah jalan tadi mereka mempertengkarkan siapa yang terbesar di antara mereka.

Mrk 9:35 Lalu Yesus duduk dan memanggil kedua belas murid itu. Kata-Nya kepada mereka: "Jika seseorang ingin menjadi yang terdahulu, hendaklah ia menjadi yang terakhir dari semuanya dan pelayan dari semuanya."

Mrk 9:36 Maka Yesus mengambil seorang anak kecil dan menempatkannya di tengah-tengah mereka, kemudian Ia memeluk anak itu dan berkata kepada mereka:

Mrk 9:37 "Barangsiapa menyambut seorang anak seperti ini dalam nama-Ku, ia menyambut Aku. Dan barangsiapa menyambut Aku, bukan Aku yang disambutnya, tetapi Dia yang mengutus Aku."

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint John Theristus

Saint John Theristus was born in Palermo, Sicily, then under the control of Muslim conquerors. His mother was a native of southern Italy in the province of Calabria. During a Muslim raid on Calabria, John's father, a farmer, was killed, and his mother, who was pregnant, was captured and taken to Sicily as a slave. It was there that John was born. John grew up as a Christian in a Muslim world. At the age of 14, he escaped and fled to Calabria, crossing Messina's straits in a boat with no sails or ores. Seeing him dressed as a Moor, the inhabitants took him to the Bishop, who interrogated him. The boy answered that he was seeking Baptism, but the Bishop subjected him to harsh trials before giving him his name,            'John ' after St John the Baptist, whose feast day it was, telling little John to spend his life imitating the great Precursor of Christ.

Later, he became a Basilian monk at the abbey of Stilo and later its abbot.

His virtue was beyond reputation. He found in Cursano a treasure that belonged to his family, and following the rule of Saint Basil, he distributed it to the poor. During another instance, he was off to visit a knight who was a benefactor to the monastery. He gave bread and wine he had brought for himself to poor farmers working in the fields. Meanwhile, a furious storm threatened the farmers who were harvesting. John prayed for them, and the storm held off until all the wheat was gathered, saving the poor farmers from starvation. This earned him the nickname "Theristis" (reaper).

According to tradition, King Roger II  was gravely wounded in the face but was miraculously healed when the tunic of St. John was touched to his face. As a thanksgiving, Roger II founded the monastery of St. John in memory of the saint. Today, John Theristis is venerated by both the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

Saint John Theristus, pray that we may always strive for holiness and virtue in our lives.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Polycarp

Born between 69 and 70 AD to Christian parents, Saint Polycarp learned the teachings of Christ directly from the Apostles and became a disciple of St. John the Evangelist. Irenaeus, who was his pupil and then Bishop of Lyon, and the historian Eusebius of Caesarea, wrote of him thus: "Polycarp was not only educated by the Apostles and lived with many of those who had seen the Lord, but it was the Apostles who sent him to Asia as Bishop of the Church of Smyrna." During his long time as Bishop, Polycarp stood out for his zeal in faithfully preserving the doctrine of the Apostles, for spreading the Gospel among the pagans, and for fighting heresies. 

Irenaeus describes him as a patient and lovable preacher with great solicitude for widows and slaves. Around the end of 154, Polycarp left for Rome as a representative of the Christians of Asia Minor. His mission was to meet with Pope Anicetus and discuss different issues, including the date of Easter. The Eastern Churches celebrated Easter on the 14th of the Jewish month of Nisan and in Rome on the following Sunday. No agreement was reached, but relations between the Churches remained friendly. Christians in Smyrna were persecuted under Emperor Antoninus Pius, and Polycarp was arrested when he was at the age of 86. The acts of his martyrdom, 'Martyrium Polycarpi,' narrate that he was brought before the Proconsul, who tried to persuade him to recant, saying: 'Think of your age ... change your mind ... swear and I will free you. Curse the Christ '. Polycarp replied: 'I have served Him for eighty-six years, and he has done me no harm. How could I curse my King who saved me? ... Listen clearly: I am a Christian.'

Polycarp was condemned to be burned alive. His hands were tied behind his back while he continued to praise the Blessed Trinity and to thank the Lord for permitting him to drink of his chalice, great heaps of fagots were piled up around him. The executioner awaited the termination of his prayers with awe and did not apply the torch until after the "Amen." An eyewitness claims that those flames did not harm him. So he was killed by the sword, and his body was burned.

Saint Polycarp, you were blessed to be among the first followers of the Apostles and worked fervently to spread and defend the faith; pray that we may learn from your witness and follow your holy example.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

24 February 2025 (Monday) / Monday of week 7 in Ordinary Time / Ordinary Weekday.

24 February 2025 (Monday)

Monday of week 7 in Ordinary Time.

Ordinary Weekday.

First Reading: Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 1: 1-10

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 93: 1ab, 1cd-2, 5

Alleluia: Second Timothy 1: 10

Gospel: Mark 9: 14-29

First Reading : 

Ecclesiasticus 1:1‐10

All wisdom is from the Lord, and it is his own for ever. The sand of the sea and the raindrops, and the days of eternity, who can assess them?

The height of the sky and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss, who can probe them? Before all other things wisdom was created, shrewd understanding is everlasting.

For whom has the root of wisdom ever been uncovered? Her resourceful ways, who knows them? One only is wise, terrible indeed, seated on his throne, the Lord.

He himself has created her, looked on her and assessed her, and poured her out on all his works to be with all mankind as his gift, and he conveyed her to those who love him.

Responsive Psalm : 

Psalm 92(93):1‐2,5

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed; the Lord has robed himself with might, he has girded himself with power.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

The world you made firm, not to be moved; your throne has stood firm from of old. From all eternity, O Lord, you are.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

Truly your decrees are to be trusted. Holiness is fitting to your house, O Lord, until the end of time.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

Second Reading :

There is no Second Reading.

Alleluia: Second Timothy 1: 10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

10 Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.

(6. That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift of God that you possess through the laying on of my hands.

7. God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love and self-control.

8. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to our Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but share in my hardships for the sake of the gospel, relying on the power of God

9. who has saved us and called us to be holy -- not because of anything we ourselves had done but for his own purpose and by his own grace. This grace had already been granted to us, in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time,

10. but it has been revealed only by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus. He has abolished death, and he has brought to light immortality and life through the gospel,

11. in whose service I have been made herald, apostle and teacher).

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : 

Mark 9:14‐29

When Jesus, with Peter, James and John came down from the mountain and rejoined the disciples, they saw a large crowd round them and some scribes arguing with them. The moment they saw him the whole crowd were struck with amazement and ran to greet him. ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ he asked. A man answered him from the crowd, ‘Master, I have brought my son to you; there is a spirit of dumbness in him, and when it takes hold of him it throws him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and goes rigid. And I asked your disciples to cast it out and they were unable to.’ ‘You faithless generation’ he said to them in reply. ‘How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’ They brought the boy to him, and as soon as the spirit saw Jesus it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell to the ground and lay writhing there, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ ‘From childhood,’ he replied ‘and it has often thrown him into the fire and into the water, in order to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ ‘If you can?’ retorted Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for anyone who has faith.’ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, ‘I do have faith. Help the little faith I have!’ And when Jesus saw how many people were pressing round him, he rebuked the unclean spirit. ‘Deaf and dumb spirit,’ he said ‘I command you: come out of him and never enter him again.’ Then throwing the boy into violent convulsions it came out shouting, and the boy lay there so like a corpse that most of them said, ‘He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him up, and he was able to stand. When he had gone indoors his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why were we unable to cast it out?’ ‘This is the kind’ he answered ‘that can only be driven out by prayer.’

Words of the Holy Father:

In the spirit of the world that is dominated by pride, the Word of God for today invites us to become humble and meek. Humility does not consist in belittling ourselves, but rather in that healthy realism that makes us recognize our potentials as well as our misery. Beginning with our misery, humility makes us take our gaze off ourselves in order to turn it toward God, to the One who can do everything and who even obtains for us what we would not succeed in obtaining on our own. “All things can be done for the one who believes” (Mk 9:23). (Homily, Basilica of St. Mary in Collemaggio, 28 August 2022)

Santo Montanus dan Santo Lucius dan rakan-rakannya, Martir.

Para Martir suci Montanus dan Lucius berserta dengan teman  temannya, yaitu Falvianus, Yulianus, Viktorianus, Quartillosia, Viktor, Donatian, Primolus dan Renus, dipenjarakan di Kartago (Tunisia) karena berpegang teguh pada imannya kepada Kristus. Selama berada di dalam penjara mereka kekurangan makanan dan minuman sehingga beberapa diantara mereka mati. Sebagian yang lain kemudian di seret ke tempat penjagalan.

Kaisar Valerianus menganiaya umat Kristiani dengan bengis sepanjang masa Gereja awali. Ia meluluskan eksekusi ke atas Santo Siprianus pada bulan September 258. Pejabat Romawi yang menjatuhkan hukuman mati kepada Santo Siprianus tewas tak lama sesudahnya. Pejabat yang baru, Solon, nyaris menjadi kurban dari suatu pemberontakan yang menyangkut suatu persekongkolan untuk menghabisi nyawanya. Tampaknya Solon mencurigai persekongkolan ini sebagai bentuk balas dendam atas kematian Santo Siprianus. Ia menangkap delapan orang tak bersalah. Semuanya adalah orang-orang Kristen, sebagian besar adalah kaum klerikus, dan semuanya adalah pengikut setia Santo Siprianus.

Tahanan Kristen itu dilemparkan (dimasukkan) ke dalam penjara bawah tanah yang gelap. Mereka mendapati orang-orang lain yang mereka kenal ada dalam penjara. Tempat itu juga kotor dan tersumbat melingkupi kelompok tahanan ini (kerana bilik sempit dan tiada bertingkap sesak). Mereka sadar bahwa mereka akan segera menghadapi kematian dan kebakaan. Orang-orang Kristen itu ditahan berbulan-bulan lamanya dalam penjara. Mereka dipaksa bekerja di siang hari, dan tanpa sebab seringkali tak diberi makan dan minum. Dalam situasi yang tak berperikemanusiaan macam itu, komunitas kecil umat Kristen ini bersatu padu dan saling tolong-menolong satu sama lain. Yang awam melindungi para uskup, imam dan diakon yang secara istimewa merupakan sasaran kekejian kaisar.

Ketika tahanan Kristiani pada akhirnya dibawa ke tempat pelaksanaan hukuman mati, masing-masing diijinkan untuk berbicara. Santo Montanus, yang tinggi kekar, berbicara dengan gagah berani kepada segenap umat Kristiani yang ada di antara khalayak ramai. Ia menasehati mereka untuk setia kepada Yesus dan untuk lebih memilih mati daripada mengingkari iman. Lucius, yang kecil dan rapuh, berjalan tertatih-tatih ke tempat eksekusi. Ia lemah akibat masa-masa berat dan sulit di penjara. Sesungguhnya, ia harus bertopang pada dua teman yang membantunya tiba di tempat di mana para algojo telah menanti. Mereka yang menyaksikan berseru-seru memintanya untuk mengingat mereka di surga.

Sementara tahanan Kristen ini seorang demi seorang dipenggal kepalanya, khalayak ramai semakin berani. Mereka menangisi para martir yang menderita ketidakadilan. Tetapi mereka bersukacita juga. Mereka sadar bahwa para martir ini akan memberkati mereka dari surga. Santo Montanus, Santo Lucius dan rakan-rakannya wafat sebagai martir pada tahun 259.

Hari biasa

Sir. 1:1-10; Mzm. 93:1ab,1c-2,5; Mrk. 9:14-29

Warna Liturgi Hijau

Sir 1:1 Segala kebijaksanaan dari Tuhan asalnya, dan ada pada-Nya selama-lamanya.

Sir 1:2 Pasir di laut dan tetes hujan, dan hari-hari kekekalan siapa gerangan dapat membilangnya?

Sir 1:3 Tingginya langit, luasnya bumi, dan samudera raya dan kebijaksanaan, siapa dapat menduganya?

Sir 1:4 Sebelum segala-galanya kebijaksanaan sudah diciptakan, dan pengertian yang arif sejak dahulu kala.

Sir 1:8 Kepada siapakah pangkal kebijaksanaan telah disingkapkan, dan siapakah mengenal segala akalnya? Hanyalah Satu yang bijaksana, teramat menggetarkan, yaitu Yang bersemayam di atas singgasana-Nya.

Sir 1:9 Tuhanlah yang menciptakan kebijaksanaan, yang melihat serta membilangnya, lalu mencurahkannya atas segala buatan-Nya.

Sir 1:10 Pada semua makhluk ia ada sekadar pemberian Tuhan, yang juga membagikannya kepada orang yang cinta kepada-Nya.

Mzm 93:1 TUHAN adalah Raja, Ia berpakaian kemegahan, TUHAN berpakaian, berikat pinggang kekuatan. Sungguh, telah tegak dunia, tidak bergoyang;

Mzm 93:1 TUHAN adalah Raja, Ia berpakaian kemegahan, TUHAN berpakaian, berikat pinggang kekuatan. Sungguh, telah tegak dunia, tidak bergoyang;

Mzm 93:2 takhta-Mu tegak sejak dahulu kala, dari kekal Engkau ada.

Mzm 93:5 Peraturan-Mu sangat teguh; bait-Mu layak kudus, ya TUHAN, untuk sepanjang masa.

Mrk 9:14 Ketika Yesus, Petrus, Yakobus dan Yohanes kembali pada murid-murid lain, mereka melihat orang banyak mengerumuni murid-murid itu, dan beberapa ahli Taurat sedang mempersoalkan sesuatu dengan mereka.

Mrk 9:15 Pada waktu orang banyak itu melihat Yesus, tercenganglah mereka semua dan bergegas menyambut Dia.

Mrk 9:16 Lalu Yesus bertanya kepada mereka: "Apa yang kamu persoalkan dengan mereka?"

Mrk 9:17 Kata seorang dari orang banyak itu: "Guru, anakku ini kubawa kepada-Mu, karena ia kerasukan roh yang membisukan dia.

Mrk 9:18 Dan setiap kali roh itu menyerang dia, roh itu membantingkannya ke tanah; lalu mulutnya berbusa, giginya bekertakan dan tubuhnya menjadi kejang. Aku sudah meminta kepada murid-murid-Mu, supaya mereka mengusir roh itu, tetapi mereka tidak dapat."

Mrk 9:19 Maka kata Yesus kepada mereka: "Hai kamu angkatan yang tidak percaya, berapa lama lagi Aku harus tinggal di antara kamu? Berapa lama lagi Aku harus sabar terhadap kamu? Bawalah anak itu ke mari!"

Mrk 9:20 Lalu mereka membawanya kepada-Nya. Waktu roh itu melihat Yesus, anak itu segera digoncang-goncangnya, dan anak itu terpelanting ke tanah dan terguling-guling, sedang mulutnya berbusa.

Mrk 9:21 Lalu Yesus bertanya kepada ayah anak itu: "Sudah berapa lama ia mengalami ini?" Jawabnya: "Sejak masa kecilnya.

Mrk 9:22 Dan seringkali roh itu menyeretnya ke dalam api ataupun ke dalam air untuk membinasakannya. Sebab itu jika Engkau dapat berbuat sesuatu, tolonglah kami dan kasihanilah kami."

Mrk 9:23 Jawab Yesus: "Katamu: jika Engkau dapat? Tidak ada yang mustahil bagi orang yang percaya!"

Mrk 9:24 Segera ayah anak itu berteriak: "Aku percaya. Tolonglah aku yang tidak percaya ini!"

Mrk 9:25 Ketika Yesus melihat orang banyak makin datang berkerumun, Ia menegor roh jahat itu dengan keras, kata-Nya: "Hai kau roh yang menyebabkan orang menjadi bisu dan tuli, Aku memerintahkan engkau, keluarlah dari pada anak ini dan jangan memasukinya lagi!"

Mrk 9:26 Lalu keluarlah roh itu sambil berteriak dan menggoncang-goncang anak itu dengan hebatnya. Anak itu kelihatannya seperti orang mati, sehingga banyak orang yang berkata: "Ia sudah mati."

Mrk 9:27 Tetapi Yesus memegang tangan anak itu dan membangunkannya, lalu ia bangkit sendiri.

Mrk 9:28 Ketika Yesus sudah di rumah, dan murid-murid-Nya sendirian dengan Dia, bertanyalah mereka: "Mengapa kami tidak dapat mengusir roh itu?"

Mrk 9:29 Jawab-Nya kepada mereka: "Jenis ini tidak dapat diusir kecuali dengan berdoa."

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." – (Matthew 16:18-19). Today, the Church celebrates the Chair of St. Peter. The "chair" refers to the cathedra, or office, of the Apostle Peter. Conferred upon St. Peter by Christ Himself (Matthew 16:13-18). The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter also commemorates the day Peter declared the Divinity of Christ by the Sea of Tiberias. This event symbolizes the moment when Jesus chose him as the foundation of His Church, acknowledging Peter's pivotal role. 

Peter's supreme pastoral responsibility is transferred to each of his successors as Bishop of Rome, the place where Peter served last and met martyrdom. While an actual chair exists in Rome that some believe was used by St. Peter, the Chair of St. Peter represents the papacy, the unbroken succession of Popes throughout the Church's 2,000-year history. There have been 266 popes, beginning with Peter, and among them are many saints and martyrs who have devoted themselves to the Gospel.

The Vatican Basilica houses the Cathedra Petri, a special relic believed to be the actual chair used by St. Peter. In 1655, Pope Alexander VII enclosed it in a big casing designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini to protect and display the relic. The chair was traditionally shown to the public every year and used for the official seating of newly elected popes. The Cathedra Petri at the Vatican continues to be revered today. 

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that no tempests may disturb us, for you have set us fast on the rock of the Apostle Peter's confession of faith.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

Saint Peter Damian

Saint Peter Damian was the youngest child of a poor noble family in Ravenna, Italy. He lost his parents when he was a child. So, he went to live with one of his older brothers, who mistreated him and forced him to labor as a swineherd. Eventually, another brother, a priest from Ravenna named Father Damian, took him and provided him with an excellent education, and Peter became a professor. He was so grateful to his priest brother that he added his brother’s name to his own, making him Peter Damian.

Peter was very strict with himself. He wore a hair shirt under his clothes, fasted rigorously, and prayed for many hours. Soon, he left his teaching and gave himself to prayer with the Benedictines of the reform of Saint Romuald at Fonte Avellana. Peter was so eager to pray and slept so little that he soon had severe insomnia. He studied the Holy Bible when he was not praying.

The abbot commanded that Peter should succeed him when he died. Abbot Peter founded five other hermitages. Later, Pope Stephen IX appointed Peter as the cardinal bishop of Ostia. He encouraged priests to observe celibacy and urged the diocesan clergy to live together and maintain scheduled prayer and religious observance. He wished to restore primitive discipline among religious and priests. He preferred examples and stories rather than theory in his writings. 

He often asked to be allowed to retire as cardinal-bishop of Ostia, and finally, Pope Alexander II consented. Peter was happy to become a monk again, but he was still called to serve as a papal legate. When returning from such an assignment in Ravenna, he caught a fever. On February 22, 1072, he passed away as the monks gathered around were praying the Divine Office. He was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XII.

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we may so follow the teaching and example of the Bishop St. Peter Damian, that, putting nothing before Christ and always ardent in the service of Your Church, we may be led to the joys of eternal light.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

23 February 2025 (Sunday) / 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time / Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.

23 February 2025 (Sunday)

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.

First Reading: First Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 103: 1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13

Second Reading: First Corinthians 15: 45-49

Alleluia: John 13: 34

Gospel: Luke 6: 27-38

First Reading : 

1 Samuel 26:2,7‐9,11‐13,22‐23

Saul set off and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, accompanied by three thousand men chosen from Israel to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph.

  In the dark David and Abishai made their way towards the force, where they found Saul lying asleep inside the camp, his spear stuck in the ground beside his head, with Abner and the troops lying round him.

  Then Abishai said to David, ‘Today God has put your enemy in your power; so now let me pin him to the ground with his own spear. Just one stroke! I will not need to strike him twice.’ David answered Abishai, ‘Do not kill him, for who can lift his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt? The Lord forbid that I should raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed! But now take the spear beside his head and the pitcher of water and let us go away.’ David took the spear and the pitcher of water from beside Saul’s head, and they made off. No one saw, no one knew, no one woke up; they were all asleep, for a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.

  David crossed to the other side and halted on the top of the mountain a long way off; there was a wide space between them. He called out, ‘Here is the king’s spear. Let one of the soldiers come across and take it. The Lord repays everyone for his uprightness and loyalty. Today the Lord put you in my power, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed.’

Responsive Psalm : 

Psalm 102(103):1‐4,8,10,12‐13

The Lord is compassion and love.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings.

The Lord is compassion and love.

It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion.

The Lord is compassion and love.

The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults.

The Lord is compassion and love.

As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins. As a father has compassion on his sons, the Lord has pity on those who fear him.

The Lord is compassion and love.

Second Reading : 

1 Corinthians 15:45‐49

The first man, Adam, as scripture says, became a living soul; but the last Adam has become a life‐giving spirit. That is, first the one with the soul, not the spirit, and after that, the one with the spirit. The first man, being from the earth, is earthly by nature; the second man is from heaven. As this earthly man was, so are we on earth; and as the heavenly man is, so are we in heaven. And we, who have been modelled on the earthly man, will be modelled on the heavenly man.

Alleluia: John 13: 34

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

34 I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you.

(31. When he had gone, Jesus said: Now has the Son of man been glorified, and in him God has been glorified.

32. If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon.

33. Little children, I shall be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and, as I told the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come.

34. I give you a new commandment: love one another; you must love one another just as I have loved you.

35. It is by your love for one another, that everyone will recognise you as my disciples.

36. Simon Peter said, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus replied, 'Now you cannot follow me where I am going, but later you shall follow me.'

37. Peter said to him, 'Why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.'

38. 'Lay down your life for me?' answered Jesus. 'In all truth I tell you, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.')

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : 

Luke 6:27‐38

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. Treat others as you would like them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

  ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’

Words of the Holy Father:

“I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (vv. 27-38). And this is not optional, it is a command. It is not for everyone, but for the disciples, whom Jesus calls “you that hear”. He is well aware that loving enemies exceeds our possibilities, but this is why he became man: not to leave us as we are, but to transform us into men and women capable of a greater love, that of his Father and ours. This is the love that Jesus gives to those who ‘hear him’. Thus it becomes possible! With him, thanks to his love, to his Spirit, we are able to love even those who do not love us, even those who do us harm. (Angelus, 24 February 2019)

Santo Polykarpus, Uskup dan Martir.

Santo Polykarpus adalah seorang Uskup Gereja perdana di Smyrna (Turki). Murid Santo Yohanes penginjil ini memimpin Gereja di Smyrna sampai meletusnya kekacauan yang didalangi oleh para musuh gereja pada tahun 155. Ia sendiri pun ditangkap oleh orang-orang itu.

Ketika di tangkap, ia tidak memberikan perlawanan apapun, bahkan ia tersenyum dan menjamu para penangkapnya dengan makanan yang lezat. Kepada mereka, Ia berkata: Jadilah kehendak Tuhan atas diriku. Ia memohon agar kepadanya diberikan waktu sedikit untuk berdoa. Setelah itu, ia dibelenggu dan diarak ke tengah  tengah orang banyak menuju kediaman prokonsul untuk diadili.

Sewaktu diadili, prokonsul dengan keras memaksanya untuk menhujat Yesus dan mempersembahkan kurban kepada dewa dewi Romawi. Ia dengan tegas berkata: Sudah delapan puluh enam tahun saya mengabdi Kristus, dan tidak pernah saya alami Kristus berbuat salah kepadaku. Bagaimana mungkin saya menghujat Raja dan Penyelamatku? Tuhanku Yesus Kristus tidak hanya berkata: Bertahanlah dan teguhlah dalam imanmu; cintailah sesamamu; berbelaskasihanlah kepada sesamamudan bersatulah di dalam kebenaran, melainkan Dirinya sendiri dijadikan contoh yang mencolok mata tentang semuanya itu.

Mendengar kata  kata Polykarpus, prokonsul berang dan segera menjatuhkan hukuman bakar atas diri Polykarpus. Hukuman ini tidak sedikitpun menggetarkan hati Polykarpus, karena ia tahu bahwa kebenaran ada dipihaknya. Ia bahkan mensyukuri peristiwa tragis ini.

Berita pembunuhan terhadap diri Polykarpus ini tersebar ke seleruh umat Smyrna. Seluruh umat memang menyesalkan tindakan prokonsul itu, tetapi mereka tidak patah semangat untuk tetap mengimani Kristus. Mereka saling meneguhkan dengan mengedarkan selebaran berikut: Kristus kita sembah karena Dia Putera Allah. Para Martir kita sayangi sebagai murid Kristus karena imannya yang tak terperikan kepada Kristus, Raja dan Tuhan, hingga titik darah penghabisan. Semoga kitapun menjadi kawan dan rekan mereka dalam menanggung semua penderitaan yang ditimpakan kepada kita.

Di atas kubur Polykarpus, mereka menulis: Dirimu kami cintai melebihi berlian, kami sayangi melebihi emas permata, dan kami baringkan tubuhmu yang suci di tempat yang layak bagimu. Di tempat ini ingin kami berkumpul dengan gembira untuk merayakan ulang tahun wafatmu sebagai martir Kristus yang Jaya.

Santo Willigis, Pengaku Iman.

Santo Willigis adalah seorang anak dari orang kebanyakan; namun ia berhasil menjadi kanselir tiga orang Kaisar Jerman. Negarawan bijaksana ini berhasil menjaga keamanan seluruh negeri. Sebagai Uskup Mainz dan wakil Paus, ia mengangkat Uskup Uskup yang baik, mendirikan gereja gereja dan membangun banyak jembatan. Ia membangun sekolah  sekolah untuk memajukan ilmu. Willigis menegakkan tata tertib dan memajukan kegiatan penghormatan pada Tuhan.

Hari Minggu Biasa VI

1Sam. 26:2,7-9,12-13,22-23; Mzm. 103:1-2,3-4,8,10,12-13; 1Kor. 15:45-49; Luk. 6:27-38

Warna Liturgi Hijau

1Sam 26:2 Lalu berkemaslah Saul dan turun ke padang gurun Zif dengan tiga ribu orang yang terpilih dari orang Israel untuk mencari Daud di padang gurun Zif.

1Sam 26:7 Datanglah Daud dengan Abisai kepada rakyat itu pada waktu malam, dan tampaklah di sana Saul berbaring tidur di tengah-tengah perkemahan, dengan tombaknya terpancung di tanah pada sebelah kepalanya, sedang Abner dan rakyat itu berbaring sekelilingnya.

1Sam 26:8 Lalu berkatalah Abisai kepada Daud: "Pada hari ini Allah telah menyerahkan musuhmu ke dalam tanganmu, oleh sebab itu izinkanlah kiranya aku menancapkan dia ke tanah dengan tombak ini, dengan satu tikaman saja, tidak usah dia kutancapkan dua kali."

1Sam 26:9 Tetapi kata Daud kepada Abisai: "Jangan musnahkan dia, sebab siapakah yang dapat menjamah orang yang diurapi TUHAN, dan bebas dari hukuman?"

1Sam 26:12 Kemudian Daud mengambil tombak dan kendi itu dari sebelah kepala Saul, lalu mereka pergi. Tidak ada yang melihatnya, tidak ada yang mengetahuinya, tidak ada yang terbangun, sebab sekaliannya tidur, karena TUHAN membuat mereka tidur nyenyak.

1Sam 26:13 Setelah Daud sampai ke seberang, berdirilah ia jauh-jauh di puncak gunung, sehingga ada jarak yang besar antara mereka.

1Sam 26:22 Tetapi Daud menjawab: "Inilah tombak itu, ya tuanku raja! Baiklah salah seorang dari orang-orangmu menyeberang untuk mengambilnya.

1Sam 26:23 TUHAN akan membalas kebenaran dan kesetiaan setiap orang, sebab TUHAN menyerahkan engkau pada hari ini ke dalam tanganku, tetapi aku tidak mau menjamah orang yang diurapi TUHAN.

Mzm 103:1 Dari Daud. Pujilah TUHAN, hai jiwaku! Pujilah nama-Nya yang kudus, hai segenap batinku!

Mzm 103:2 Pujilah TUHAN, hai jiwaku, dan janganlah lupakan segala kebaikan-Nya!

Mzm 103:3 Dia yang mengampuni segala kesalahanmu, yang menyembuhkan segala penyakitmu,

Mzm 103:4 Dia yang menebus hidupmu dari lobang kubur, yang memahkotai engkau dengan kasih setia dan rahmat,

Mzm 103:8 TUHAN adalah penyayang dan pengasih, panjang sabar dan berlimpah kasih setia.

Mzm 103:10  Tidak dilakukan-Nya kepada kita setimpal dengan dosa kita, dan tidak dibalas-Nya kepada kita setimpal dengan kesalahan kita,

Mzm 103:12  sejauh timur dari barat, demikian dijauhkan-Nya dari pada kita pelanggaran kita.

Mzm 103:13  Seperti bapa sayang kepada anak-anaknya, demikian TUHAN sayang kepada orang-orang yang takut akan Dia.

1Kor 15:45  Seperti ada tertulis: "Manusia pertama, Adam menjadi makhluk yang hidup", tetapi Adam yang akhir menjadi roh yang menghidupkan.

1Kor 15:46  Tetapi yang mula-mula datang bukanlah yang rohaniah, tetapi yang alamiah; kemudian barulah datang yang rohaniah.

1Kor 15:47  Manusia pertama berasal dari debu tanah dan bersifat jasmani, manusia kedua berasal dari sorga.

1Kor 15:48  Makhluk-makhluk alamiah sama dengan dia yang berasal dari debu tanah dan makhluk-makhluk sorgawi sama dengan Dia yang berasal dari sorga.

1Kor 15:49  Sama seperti kita telah memakai rupa dari yang alamiah, demikian pula kita akan memakai rupa dari yang sorgawi.

Luk 6:27 "Tetapi kepada kamu, yang mendengarkan Aku, Aku berkata: Kasihilah musuhmu, berbuatlah baik kepada orang yang membenci kamu;

Luk 6:28 mintalah berkat bagi orang yang mengutuk kamu; berdoalah bagi orang yang mencaci kamu.

Luk 6:29 Barangsiapa menampar pipimu yang satu, berikanlah juga kepadanya pipimu yang lain, dan barangsiapa yang mengambil jubahmu, biarkan juga ia mengambil bajumu.

Luk 6:30 Berilah kepada setiap orang yang meminta kepadamu; dan janganlah meminta kembali kepada orang yang mengambil kepunyaanmu.

Luk 6:31 Dan sebagaimana kamu kehendaki supaya orang perbuat kepadamu, perbuatlah juga demikian kepada mereka.

Luk 6:32 Dan jikalau kamu mengasihi orang yang mengasihi kamu, apakah jasamu? Karena orang-orang berdosapun mengasihi juga orang-orang yang mengasihi mereka.

Luk 6:33 Sebab jikalau kamu berbuat baik kepada orang yang berbuat baik kepada kamu, apakah jasamu? Orang-orang berdosapun berbuat demikian.

Luk 6:34 Dan jikalau kamu meminjamkan sesuatu kepada orang, karena kamu berharap akan menerima sesuatu dari padanya, apakah jasamu? Orang-orang berdosapun meminjamkan kepada orang-orang berdosa, supaya mereka menerima kembali sama banyak.

Luk 6:35 Tetapi kamu, kasihilah musuhmu dan berbuatlah baik kepada mereka dan pinjamkan dengan tidak mengharapkan balasan, maka upahmu akan besar dan kamu akan menjadi anak-anak Allah Yang Mahatinggi, sebab Ia baik terhadap orang-orang yang tidak tahu berterima kasih dan terhadap orang-orang jahat.

Luk 6:36 Hendaklah kamu murah hati, sama seperti Bapamu adalah murah hati."

Luk 6:37 "Janganlah kamu menghakimi, maka kamupun tidak akan dihakimi. Dan janganlah kamu menghukum, maka kamupun tidak akan dihukum; ampunilah dan kamu akan diampuni.

Luk 6:38 Berilah dan kamu akan diberi: suatu takaran yang baik, yang dipadatkan, yang digoncang dan yang tumpah ke luar akan dicurahkan ke dalam ribaanmu. Sebab ukuran yang kamu pakai untuk mengukur, akan diukurkan kepadamu."

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.

22 February 2025 (Saturday) / Saint Peter's Chair ‐ Feast / Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle Feast.

22 February 2025 (Saturday)

Saint Peter's Chair ‐ Feast.

Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle Feast.

First Reading: First Peter 5: 1-4

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23: 1-3a, 4, 5, 6

Alleluia: Matthew 16: 18

Gospel: Matthew 16: 13-19

First Reading : 

1 Peter 5:1‐4

Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed. Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow. When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.

Responsive Psalm : 

Psalm 22(23)

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.

Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.

You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading :

There is no Second Reading.

Alleluia: Matthew 16: 18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

18 You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

(13. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of man is?'

14. And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'

15. 'But you,' he said, 'who do you say I am?'

16. Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'

17. Jesus replied, 'Simon son of Jonah, you are a blessed man! Because it was no human agency that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.

18. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my community (Church). And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it.

19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.'

20. Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to say to anyone that he was the Christ).

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : 

Matthew 16:13‐19

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’

Words of the Holy Father:

Throughout the centuries, the world has defined Jesus in different ways: a great prophet of justice and love; a wise teacher of life; a revolutionary; a dreamer of God’s dreams ... and so on. Many beautiful things. In the confusion of these and other hypotheses, still today, a simple and clear one stands out, the confession of Simon, called Peter, a humble man full of faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v.16). Jesus is the Son of God: hence he is perennially alive as his Father is eternally alive. This is the novelty that grace ignites in the heart of those who are open to the mystery of Jesus: the non-mathematical — but even stronger, inner — certainty of having encountered the Wellspring of Life, Life itself made flesh, visible and tangible in our midst. This is the experience of Christians, and it is not their merit, not that of we Christians; it is not our merit, but comes from God; it is a grace of God, the Father and Son and Holy Spirit. All this is contained in the seed of Peter’s response: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”.

Then, Jesus’ response is full of light: “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it” (v. 18). It is the first time that Jesus says the word “Church”: and he does so expressing all his love for her, which he defines as “my Church”. It is the new community of the Covenant, no longer based on lineage and on the Law, but on faith in him, Jesus, the Face of God. (Angelus, 29 June 2018)

Pesta Tahkta Suci Santo Petrus.

Menurut cerita lisan yang beredar di kalangan gereja, Santo Petrus yang diberi kuasa oleh Yesus untuk memimpin Gereja mendirikan dua buah tahkta keuskupan. Yang pertama didirikan di Antiokhia, di tengah  tengah kaum Yahudi dan orang  orang kafir pada tahun 35. Disana Petrus memimpin jemaatnya selama tujuh tahun. Setelah dua kali mengunjungi Roma, maka pada tahun 65 ia menetap disana sebagai Uskup pertama.

Maksud pesta Tahkta suci Santo Petrus adalah untuk menghormati Petrus sebagai Wakil Kristus dan gembala tertinggi gereja yang mempunyai kuasa rohani atas segenap anggota gereja dan semua gereja setempat. Kuasa Petrus ini yang lazim disebut Primat Petrus - diberikan langsung oleh Yesus sebelum kenaikan Nya ke surga 

(Yoh 21:15-19).

Santa Margaretha dari Cortona, Pengaku Iman.

Santa Margaretha tergolong gadis yang malang hidupnya terlebih-lebih setelah ibunya meninggal. Gaya hidupnya sembrono tanpa kendali. Nasehat  nasehat saleh dari ibunya tidak lagi dituruti. Demikian pula kewajiban  kewajiban agama. Gejolak remajanya tidak sanggup dikendalikannya. Ia bergaul dan bersenang  senang dengan pemuda  pemuda tanggung yang buruk akhlaknya. Pada usia 16 tahun, ia mengikuti seorang pemuda bangsawan ke Montepulsiano. Di sana ia hidup bersama pemuda itu sebagai selir.

Pada suatu hari ia mengikuti anjing kesayangan tuannya, yang menunjukkan tanda  tanda aneh tentang suatu kejadian. Sampai di suatu tempat, anjing itu behenti sambil menyalak nyalak. Ternyata disitu tergeletaklah pemuda bangsawan itu sambil berlumuran darah dan tak bernyawa lagi. Pemuda itu dibunuh oleh orang yang tak diketahui. Karena peristiwa ini, Margaretha diusir keluar dari istana bersama dengan anaknya. Ia pergi ke rumah ibu tirinya tetapi disana ia tidak diterima. Setelah luntang  lantung beberapa hari, ia lalu pergi ke biara suster  suster Santo Fransiskus untuk meminta perlindungan. Di biara itu ia diterima.

Di biara inilah, Margaretha mulai menyadari kebejatan hidupnya. Ia bertobat dan berniat untuk meninggalkan perbuatan  perbuatannya yang bejat itu. Pada suatu hari minggu ia pergi ke kampung halamannya, Laviano, untuk berdoa di Gereja dan mengakui dosa  dosanya.

Setelah mengalami banyak percobaan batin yang berat, akhirnya ia diterima sebagai anggota ordo ketiga Santo Fransiskus. Keanggotaannya di dalam ordo ini sungguh suatu anugerah Tuhan baginya. Ia mulai menata hidupnya secara baru dalam doa dan karya  karya amal. Akhirnya ia sendiri mendirikan sebuah rumah sakit untuk orang  orang miskin. Anaknya sendiri menjadi seorang imam dalam Ordo Santo Fransiskus. Margaretha meninggal dunia pada tahun 1297 di Cortona.

Pesta Takhta St Petrus Rasul

1Ptr 5:1-4; Mzm 23:1-3a.3b-4.5.6; Mat 16:13-19.

Warna Liturgi Putih

1Ptr 5:1 Aku menasihatkan para penatua di antara kamu, aku sebagai teman penatua dan saksi penderitaan Kristus, yang juga akan mendapat bagian dalam kemuliaan yang akan dinyatakan kelak.

1Ptr 5:2 Gembalakanlah kawanan domba Allah yang ada padamu, jangan dengan paksa, tetapi dengan sukarela sesuai dengan kehendak Allah, dan jangan karena mau mencari keuntungan, tetapi dengan pengabdian diri.

1Ptr 5:3 Janganlah kamu berbuat seolah-olah kamu mau memerintah atas mereka yang dipercayakan kepadamu, tetapi hendaklah kamu menjadi teladan bagi kawanan domba itu.

1Ptr 5:4 Maka kamu, apabila Gembala Agung datang, kamu akan menerima mahkota kemuliaan yang tidak dapat layu.

Mzm 23:1 Mazmur Daud. TUHAN adalah gembalaku, takkan kekurangan aku.

Mzm 23:2 Ia membaringkan aku di padang yang berumput hijau, Ia membimbing aku ke air yang tenang;

Mzm 23:3 Ia menyegarkan jiwaku. Ia menuntun aku di jalan yang benar oleh karena nama-Nya.

Mzm 23:3 Ia menyegarkan jiwaku. Ia menuntun aku di jalan yang benar oleh karena nama-Nya.

Mzm 23:4 Sekalipun aku berjalan dalam lembah kekelaman, aku tidak takut bahaya, sebab Engkau besertaku; gada-Mu dan tongkat-Mu, itulah yang menghibur aku.

Mzm 23:5 Engkau menyediakan hidangan bagiku, di hadapan lawanku; Engkau mengurapi kepalaku dengan minyak; pialaku penuh melimpah.

Mzm 23:6 Kebajikan dan kemurahan belaka akan mengikuti aku, seumur hidupku; dan aku akan diam dalam rumah TUHAN sepanjang masa.

Mat 16:13 Setelah Yesus tiba di daerah Kaisarea Filipi, Ia bertanya kepada murid-murid-Nya: "Kata orang, siapakah Anak Manusia itu?"

Mat 16:14 Jawab mereka: "Ada yang mengatakan: Yohanes Pembaptis, ada juga yang mengatakan: Elia dan ada pula yang mengatakan: Yeremia atau salah seorang dari para nabi."

Mat 16:15 Lalu Yesus bertanya kepada mereka: "Tetapi apa katamu, siapakah Aku ini?"

Mat 16:16 Maka jawab Simon Petrus: "Engkau adalah Mesias, Anak Allah yang hidup!"

Mat 16:17 Kata Yesus kepadanya: "Berbahagialah engkau Simon bin Yunus sebab bukan manusia yang menyatakan itu kepadamu, melainkan Bapa-Ku yang di sorga.

Mat 16:18 Dan Akupun berkata kepadamu: Engkau adalah Petrus dan di atas batu karang ini Aku akan mendirikan jemaat-Ku dan alam maut tidak akan menguasainya.

Mat 16:19 Kepadamu akan Kuberikan kunci Kerajaan Sorga. Apa yang kauikat di dunia ini akan terikat di sorga dan apa yang kaulepaskan di dunia ini akan terlepas di sorga."

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.