Tag: Contemporary Issues

Jesus, Healer of Our Souls

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time [B]

February 7, 2021

Mark 1:29-39

Jesus cannot be separated from His healing ministries. Some of the healings are remarkable, like the healing of a woman with the hemorrhage and Jarius’ daughter [Mark 5:321-43]. They are astonishing because these are practically impossible cases. The woman has suffered for twelve years without sign of hope, and Jarius’ daughter is as good as dead. Yet, Jesus does heal not only those with grave illness but also those with curable sickness.

Jesus is at the house of Simon, and He discovers that Simon’s mother-in-law has a fever. Fever is a symptom that points to an infection, from ordinary flu to covid-19. In the case of Simon’s mother-in-law, we can safely assume that she has a curable sickness. Without proper rest and treatment, she will get back to her usual activities. Yet, despite this fact, and even without a particular request from the person, Jesus decides to heal her anyway. Jesus understands that sickness, no matter insignificant it is, remains improper in our lives. To be a healthy person is God’s plan for us.

If we see our lives, we quickly recognize that getting sick is part of our life. Sickness becomes a constant reminder that our bodies are limited and fragile. Indeed, we have an immune system, but often this potent protection is not enough. With the pandemic caused by covid-19, we realize that human beings are not powerful as we think. As we struggle to find the cures, the virus, bacteria, and other sickness causes are also evolving and getting deadlier. The illness causes pain and suffering, and these weaknesses remind us of our death. Yet, despite this realization, deep down, we know that sickness is not the real deal, and it is a privation rather than perfection. We desire to be healthy. We fight to be healthy, and only by being healthy, we may achieve our potentials.

This is why we go to the doctors if we are sick, hit the gym, do other exercises, and live a healthy lifestyle. It is the same reason that the persons with the gift of healing are sought for. It is the same reason that many people want to see Jesus. 

We may ask, why does not Jesus heal all of us? The answer might not be that simple, but we can say that Jesus first comes to heal our broken relationship with God. He saves us from our sins. His miraculous healings are signs of this redemption. Even in His providential way, God can use our illness and suffering to make us even spiritually closer to Him. St. Dominic de Guzman is known to have very rigid mortification practices, and a witness said that a cord of chains was tied in his tight and just removed when he died. Mortification is one of the favorites ways of the saints to seek God. They do not want that their healthy bodies become a hindrance to seek God. Meanwhile, Beato Carlo Acutis, who got sick of leukemia, a severe illness that eventually took his life, offered his suffering to the Lord. He said, “I offer all the suffering I will have to suffer for the Lord, for the Pope, and the Church.”

Jesus brings us healing to our souls and bodies. Yet, in His providential care, our bodily weakness can lead us even closer to God.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

photo credit: jonathan-borba

Yesus, Penyembuh Jiwa Kita

On By bayuopIn Bahasa, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

Minggu Kelima dalam Masa Biasa [B]

7 Februari 2021

Markus 1: 29-39

Yesus tidak dapat dipisahkan dari pelayanan penyembuhan-Nya. Beberapa kisah kesembuhan merupakan kejadian yang luar biasa seperti kesembuhan seorang wanita dengan pendarahan dan juga anak perempuan Jarius [Markus 5: 321-43]. Penyembuhan ini adalah mujizat karena kasus-kasus yang dihadapi Yesus adalah hal-hal mustahil disembuhkan pada zaman-Nya. Sang wanita telah menderita pendarahan selama dua belas tahun tanpa harapan, dan putri Jarius sebenarnya sudah meninggal. Di sisi lain, Yesus tidak hanya menyembuhkan orang yang sakit parah, tapi juga mereka yang sakitnya tergolong tidak membahayakan.

Yesus ada di rumah Simon, dan Dia melihat bahwa ibu mertua Simon sedang demam. Demam adalah gejala yang biasanya terjadi karena adanya infeksi, bisa karena flu biasa hingga covid-19. Dalam kasus ibu mertua Simon, kita dapat berasumsi bahwa dia mengalami penyakit yang sebenarnya tidak berat. Dengan istirahat dan obat yang tepat, sang ibu mertua akan kembali beraktivitas dengan normal. Namun, walaupun sakitnya tergolong tidak membahayakan dan bahkan tanpa permintaan khusus dari sang wanita, Yesus memutuskan untuk menyembuhkannya. Yesus memahami bahwa penyakit, entah seberapa kecilnya, tetap sebuah hal yang tidak tepat bagi hidup kita. Menjadi orang yang sehat adalah rencana Tuhan bagi kita.

Jika kita melihat hidup kita, kita dengan mudah menyadari bahwa sakit adalah bagian dari hidup kita. Penyakit selalu menjadi pengingat bahwa tubuh kita terbatas dan rapuh. Memang, kita memiliki sistem kekebalan, tetapi seringkali perlindungan alami ini tidak cukup. Dengan pandemi yang disebabkan oleh Covid-19, kita menyadari bahwa manusia tidak sekuat yang kita pikirkan. Saat kita berjuang untuk menemukan berbagai obat dan alat-alat kesehatan, virus, bakteri, dan penyebab penyakit lainnya juga berkembang dan semakin mematikan. Penyakit menyebabkan rasa sakit dan penderitaan, dan kelemahan ini mengingatkan kita pada kematian kita. Namun, terlepas dari realisasi ini, jauh di lubuk hati, kita tahu bahwa penyakit ini adalah sesuatu yang tidak wajar, sebuah kekurangan, bukan kesempurnaan. Kita ingin sehat, kita berjuang untuk menjadi sehat dan hanya dengan sehat, kita dapat mencapai potensi kita sebagai manusia.

Inilah alasan mengapa kita pergi ke dokter jika kita sakit, kita melakukan olahraga lain, dan kita menjalani gaya hidup sehat. Inilah alasan yang sama yang dicari orang dengan karunia kesembuhan. Ini adalah alasan yang sama mengapa banyak orang ingin disembuhkan Yesus.

Kita mungkin bertanya, mengapa Yesus tidak menyembuhkan kita semua? Jawabannya tidak mudah, tetapi kita dapat mengatakan bahwa Yesus pertama-tama datang untuk menyembuhkan hubungan kita yang rusak dengan Allah Bapa. Dia menyelamatkan kita dari dosa-dosa kita, sebuah penyakit rohani. Kesembuhan ragawi adalah tanda-tanda penebusan ini. Bahkan dalam misteri penyelenggaraan-Nya, Tuhan dapat menggunakan penyakit dan penderitaan kita untuk membuat kita semakin dekat secara rohani dengan-Nya. Kita bisa belajar dari para kudus.

St. Dominikus de Guzman dikenal melakukan mati raga yang sangat berat. Seorang saksi mata mengatakan bahwa tali rantai diikat erat-erat di pahanya dan baru dilepas ketika dia meninggal. Mortifikasi atau mati raga adalah salah satu cara favorit orang-orang kudus untuk mencari Tuhan. Mereka tidak ingin tubuh mereka yang sehat menjadi penghalang untuk mencari Tuhan. Sementara itu, Beato Carlo Acutis yang sakit leukemia, penyakit yang sangat menyakitkan yang akhirnya merenggut nyawanya, mempersembahkan penderitaannya kepada Tuhan. Dia berkata, “Saya mempersembahkan semua penderitaan yang harus saya derita untuk Tuhan, untuk Paus, dan Gereja”

Yesus memberi kita kesembuhan bagi jiwa dan raga kita. Namun, dalam misteri penyelenggaraan-Nya, kelemahan tubuh kitapun dapat membawa kita lebih dekat kepada Tuhan.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

photocredit: Jonathan-borba

Holy Families

On By bayuopIn Christmas, EnglishLeave a comment

Feast of the Holy Family [B]

December 27, 2020

Luke 2:22-40

We are celebrating the feast of the Holy Family, and indeed, we are celebrating not only the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph but every human family. Through this liturgical celebration, the Church is inviting us to recognize the importance and the value of our family. Not only acclaiming the fundamental worth of family, but we are also invited to embrace and celebrate family lives.

At a human level, many social experts have understood that healthy and thriving societies begin in robust families. The families do not only fill the communities with human populations, but they provide an environment where children can grow into physically and psychologically mature men and women. A healthy and mature adult turns to be an asset to society.

From the perspective of faith, the Church always considers family as the basic unit of society and the Church herself. In his apostolic exhortation, Familiaris Consortio, Pope St. John Paul II affirmed the family’s fundamental role as the intimate community of life and love. In the family, husband and wife learn to love each other deeper and deeper every day. In the family, parents offer unconditional and sacrificial love for their children. In the family, the children learn to give honor and respect to their parents and their brothers and sisters. Because only in love, human persons find their true fulfillment as God’s image who is Love.

The Scriptures also give premium to family life. To honor our mother and father is one of the Torah’s highest commandments [Exo 20:]. Sirach even claimed that honoring our parents can atone for our sins [Sir 3:3]. St. Paul himself, in his letter to the Colossians, instructed each member of the family on how to behave [see Col 3:12-21].

Yet, going back to Jesus, we discover that for Him, a family is indeed indispensable. As God, Jesus could have come to us directly from heaven. He did not need human aid. Yet, He chose to be born of the virgin Mary, and through the angel, instructed Joseph to become the husband of Mary and, thus, His foster father. When He became man, He entered a human family and grew through Joseph and Mary’s guidance and protection. Jesus has become part of a family, and His presence sanctified His human family. This is a poignant message for all that family is a school of holiness because Jesus is present.

We also admit that family life is not always smooth and sweet. Moments of frustrations, misunderstanding, anger, and sadness often come and struck us. Various problems ranging from economic stability to emotional immaturity beset our familial relationship. However, these ugly situations may be transformed into means of holiness if Jesus is present among us. Raising children can be tough and even irritating, but we can offer this cross to the Lord as prayer. A relationship with our spouse can be filled with misunderstanding, but before we vent our emotions, we may pause a moment and ask the Lord the best course of action we shall take. Thus, through these difficulties, we are made closer to the Lord.

We thank the Lord for the gift of life, love, and family.

Happy feast day of the Holy Family!

 

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Emmanuel

On By bayuopIn Christmas, EnglishLeave a comment

Christmas – Mass during the Night [B]

December 24, 2020

Luke 2:1-14

Christmas is one of the most beautiful and joyous times of the year. Christmas is the time to gather with the families and friends and to have an exchange of gifts. Christmas is the time to put up Christmas trees, place Nativity scenes, and play Christmas songs. Surely, Christmas is the time when families once again go to the church together.

However, this year, things do not go as we want them to be. The pandemic caused by Covid-19 continues to plague our societies, and it significantly affects how we do things and relate with one another. Some of us can no longer go home because of our nature of professions or travel restrictions. Some of us will not attend the beautiful Christmas vigil liturgy because the Church remained closed. Some of us have no special meals on the table because the poor economy hits us hard. For some of us, it is just a lonely and sad Christmas because some of our family members are sick or even have passed away.

Is this still a Christmas? In these difficult situations, all the more, we are invited to reflect on the mystery of Incarnation. The drama of salvation begins with a little baby with His poor parents. Joseph was David’s son, yet he was no more than a poor carpenter, who cannot even provide a decent place for his wife to give birth. Mary was a young mother who had to endure unimaginable shame and various threats to her life. And, at the center of Christmas is the baby boy who is God and yet chose to be born in the most unworthy place of all, a cave filled with animals. He did not opt for much grander places like a royal palace or a magnificent castle. He did not decide to be wrapped with a purple royal garment, but a simple linen cloth. He did not select a golden and comfortable bed, but an unhygienic stone manger.

Looking at the circumstances, Jesus’ birth is not that impressive, but this is what makes the mystery of Incarnation touch every human heart. He did not come as an imposing and authoritarian king like Augustus. He did not come as a shrewd military leader like Julius Caesar. He did not come as a smart politician like Herod. God comes to us as the weakest baby in the humblest place. He is a God who radically loves us and wills to embrace even our weak nature.

Christmas reminds us that Jesus is with us when we are broken by economic conditions; Jesus is with us when we cannot be with our loved ones. Jesus is with us when we are losing our family members. The first Christmas points to us that God does not always spare us from suffering, but He promises to be with us in these terrible times.

One of my friends just lost his father due to Covid-19. It was sudden and untimely death. And what made it very painful is they could not give the last farewell for him as the remain brought immediately to the cemetery. When I had a chance to talk to him, I discovered he could accept the death, and then I asked him the reason. He narrated to me that before his father was admitted to the hospital, he gave his father a brown scapular. He also learned that his father passed away when he was praying the rosary. He believed that his father was not alone when he died; God is with him. Indeed, Jesus is the Emmanuel: God is with us.

Merry Christmas!

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

photocredit: debby hudson

Empty Tomb

On By bayuopIn Easter, EnglishLeave a comment

Easter Sunday

April 12, 2020

John 20:1-9

ViaDolorosa0203Today is the day of resurrection. Today is the day Jesus has conquered sin and death. Today is the day of our victory. No wonder among the liturgical celebration of the Church, Easter is the grandest, the longest and the most spectacular. It is the time that the churches are flooded with the faithful. It is the time that parishioners got involved in many activities, practices, and services. It is the time when families gather and celebrate. It is the time the priests receive more blessings!

However, something strange this year. Our Easter celebration is silent and simple. It is like an empty tomb, quiet and dark. And like the empty tomb, our churches are also empty, the pews are without people, and our buildings are darker. This Easter, we do not hold burning candles in our hands. This Easter, we do not sing together the Exultet. This Easter, we still do not receive the holy communion.

We may be like Mary Magdalene or Peter who discovered the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene was confused and at a loss when she saw the empty tomb. She was weeping before the tomb because she thought the body of Jesus has been stolen. She loved Jesus so much, but she had to see His Lord tortured, crucified and buried. It was a painful and crushing experience to see someone she loved dying like an animal. As if not enough with all the pain, this time, the body was missing. Peter did not fare better. After he had told his Master that he would give his life for Him, less than a few hours, he denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but thrice. He realized that he was a coward, and this brought pain and terrible humiliation. To make things worse, he discovered the tomb empty and he failed to understand.

This year is different because God has invited us to go deeper into the tomb. In previous years, we may be dazzled by the shining angel. We focus ourselves on various preparations, on the beautiful songs, on the floral decorations, on a joyous atmosphere, or perhaps on the priests! But this year, God calls our attention to the empty tomb, to endure the silence, to bear the darkness, and to reflect deeper on how Jesus resurrected.

Jesus did not put a spectacular show on how He conquered death. Jesus did not take any selfies when He returned from the dead! Rather, Jesus rose in the secret of the cave. Jesus won over death in the silence of the tomb. Jesus saved us in the hidden and mysterious way. Yet, this is the resurrection, and this is the most beautiful moment in human history.

This year Easter gives us a powerful lesson. God has risen even in the empty tombs of our lives. God is alive even we are far from the church we love and serve. God is alive even when we feel the most powerless inside our homes. God is alive even when we are struggling with many difficulties caused by this pandemic.

Perhaps, it is the time we reflect more on how God works gently in our lives. Perhaps, it is the time to rethink our priorities in life and to place God in the center. Perhaps, it is the time to appreciate the people who love, to reconcile with people who are close to us.

 

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

 

 

Kubur Kosong

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Minggu Paskah

12 April 2020

Yohanes 20: 1-9

empty-tomb-29306808Hari ini adalah hari kebangkitan Yesus. Hari ini adalah hari Yesus mengalahkan dosa dan maut. Hari ini adalah hari kemenangan kita. Tidak mengherankan di antara perayaan liturgi Gereja, Paskah adalah yang termegah, terpanjang dan paling spektakuler. Inilah saatnya gereja dibanjiri oleh umat beriman. Inilah saatnya umat paroki terlibat dalam banyak kegiatan, persiapan, dan pelayanan. Inilah saatnya keluarga berkumpul dan merayakan. Inilah saatnya para imam menerima lebih banyak berkat!

Namun, sesuatu yang aneh tahun ini. Perayaan Paskah kita sunyi dan sederhana. Hal ini seperti sebuah makam kosong, sunyi dan gelap. Dan seperti makam kosong, gereja-gereja kita juga kosong, bangku tanpa umat, dan bangunan kita lebih gelap. Paskah ini, kita tidak memegang lilin yang menyala di tangan kita. Paskah ini, kita tidak bernyanyi bersama Exultet. Paskah ini, kita masih belum menerima komuni suci.

Kita mungkin seperti Maria Magdalena atau Petrus yang menemukan makam kosong. Maria Magdalena bingung dan bingung ketika dia melihat makam kosong itu. Dia menangis di depan kuburan karena dia pikir tubuh Yesus telah dicuri. Dia sangat mengasihi Yesus, tetapi dia harus melihat Tuhannya disiksa, disalibkan dan dikuburkan. Itu adalah pengalaman yang menyakitkan dan menghancurkan untuk melihat seseorang yang dikasihinya mati seperti binatang. Seolah tidak cukup dengan semua rasa sakit, kali ini, tubuh itu hilang. Petrus juga mengalami hal sama. Setelah dia memberi tahu Gurunya bahwa dia akan memberikan hidupnya untuk-Nya, kurang dari beberapa jam, dia menyangkal Yesus, tidak hanya sekali, tidak dua kali, tetapi tiga kali. Dia menyadari bahwa dia adalah seorang pengecut, dan ini membawa rasa sakit dan penghinaan yang mengerikan. Untuk memperburuk keadaan, dia menemukan makam itu kosong dan dia gagal untuk mengerti.

Tahun ini berbeda karena Tuhan telah mengundang kita untuk masuk lebih dalam ke dalam kubur. Pada tahun-tahun sebelumnya, kita mungkin terpesona oleh malaikat yang bersinar. Kita memfokuskan diri pada berbagai persiapan, pada lagu-lagu indah, pada dekorasi bunga, pada suasana gembira, atau mungkin pada para imamnya! Tetapi tahun ini, Tuhan meminta perhatian kita pada makam kosong, untuk sendiri dalam kesunyian, hening dalam kegelapan, dan untuk merenungkan lebih dalam tentang bagaimana Yesus bangkit.

Yesus tidak menunjukkan pertunjukan yang spektakuler tentang bagaimana Ia menaklukkan maut. Yesus tidak mengambil foto narsis apa pun ketika Ia kembali dari kematian! Sebaliknya, Yesus bangkit dalam rahasia gua. Yesus menang atas maut dalam keheningan kubur. Yesus menyelamatkan kita dengan cara yang tersembunyi dan misterius. Namun, ini adalah kebangkitan, dan ini adalah momen paling indah dalam sejarah manusia.

Tahun Paskah ini memberi kita pelajaran yang kuat. Tuhan telah bangkit bahkan di kuburan kosong kehidupan kita. Tuhan itu hidup bahkan kita jauh dari gereja yang kita cintai dan layani. Tuhan itu hidup bahkan ketika kita merasakan yang paling tidak berdaya di dalam rumah kita. Tuhan itu hidup bahkan ketika kita berjuang dengan banyak kesulitan yang disebabkan oleh pandemi ini.

Mungkin, inilah saatnya kita lebih banyak merenungkan bagaimana Tuhan bekerja dengan lembut dalam hidup kita. Mungkin, inilah saatnya untuk memikirkan kembali prioritas kita dalam hidup dan menempatkan Tuhan sebagai prioritas kita. Mungkin, inilah saatnya untuk menghargai orang-orang yang mencintai, untuk berdamai dengan orang-orang yang dekat dengan kita.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Love at the Heart

On By bayuopIn English, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time [A]

February 23, 2020

Matthew 5:38-48

praying n persecutionAt the heart of Jesus’ teaching in the Mount is the formation of the heart. However, the heart in the Bible is not limited to our affective side or emotions. It also stands for the center of intellectual capacity and freedom. The heart is the seat of life itself, and thus, represents who the man or woman is.

Last week, Jesus told us to purify our hearts from evil thoughts and wicked desires [Mat 5:17-37]. It is not enough not to do violence to others, but it is necessary to cleanse our hearts from anger and vengeance. It is not sufficient not to commit adultery, but we are required to remove from our hearts the lustful desires. Forming the hearts is more fundamental rather than simply and blindly following the written laws and regulations. The formation of the heart is about building up good habits, and virtuous character. A virtuous person is avoiding evil, not because of fear of the external laws, but strong motivation from within.

However, in today’s Gospel, Jesus demands even something higher. The purifying of the heart is just the first step, and we need to go to another and more difficult step: to love. It is precisely tougher because love is not merely about removing impure desires in our hearts or preventing us from doing evil, but it is about actively doing good. Moreover, this love [agape] is only real and meaningful if we are doing good, not in the conditions that are favorable to us, but rather in the face of evil and sufferings.

Since its foundation around two millennia ago, Christians remain the most persecuted people. Opendoorusa.org reported that numbers of persecutions and violence against Christians are on the rise. In 2019, more than 260 million Christians [one out of nine Christians in the world] are living in the places where they experience a high level of persecution. Almost 3 thousand Christians were killed because of their faith. More than 9 thousand churches and Christian buildings like schools were attacked. In Nigeria, priests and seminarians were abducted and tortured. Some were lucky to return alive, but many were found lifeless. In China, the government made national crackdown against Christians and shut down the churches. In Indonesia, things are better for the Christians because our rights are enshrined in the constitutions. Yet, in the grassroots, we continue to feel discriminated against and fear of being targeted by the extremists and terrorists.

Our destiny as Christians are not better than our brothers and sisters who belonged to the early Church. However, as our brothers and sisters in the past, our mission remains the same: to love our enemies, to respond evil with utter generosity, and be ready to fight for justice with gentleness. Christians are accused as weak people, but this is plain wrong. The world that is built by violence and bitterness is self-destruct, and unless we dare to be true followers of Christ, we cannot stop the downward mobility towards total ruin. We thank our predecessors who refused to be controlled by violent anger despite so much evil they had to endure. The world is a much better place with whose hearts are pure. St. Tertullian believed that the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity, and we believe also that the love of Christians are the seed of a better world.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Ignoring Jesus

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Second Sunday of the Ordinary Time [A]

January 19, 2020

John 1:29-34

reading the bibleWe begin the ordinary time of the liturgical year. In the Church, we have three cycles of the liturgical year: A, B, and C. every year, we have a different set of readings. In year A, the Gospel readings are mainly from the Gospel of Matthew, meanwhile, year B is from Mark and year C is from Luke. The Gospel of John does not have its separate year, but the readings from John are scattered through the years, especially in the Easter season.

The first reading is usually taken from the Old Testament and it is thematically related to the Gospel. While the second reading is coming from the letters of the apostles like St. Peter, St. John and the letter to the Hebrews, yet the majority of the second reading comes from letters of St. Paul. The second readings have their own sequence and it is not necessarily thematically related to the Gospel. The reason behind why we have this kind of liturgical setting is that to help us, the regular mass-goers, to read the Scriptures together with the Church. If we are faithfully attending the mass every Sunday, or even every day, and attentive to the readings, we will have a good grasp of the Scriptures and especially the life and works of Jesus.

However, not all the Scriptures are there in the Mass. If we go every day to participate in the Eucharist for three years, we only listen to around 30 percent of the Bible. We still have 70 percent to complete the Bible! Thus, it is highly recommended that we take the initiative to read the Bible on our own. Three to four chapters a day, and hopefully, within a year, we are able to read the entire Bible cover to cover.

I guess one of the “great sickness” of Catholics nowadays is the ignorance of the Scriptures. When I ask some Catholics whether they have the Bible, they unanimously answer that they have a Bible, and in fact, they have a collection of Bible coming from different countries. However, when I inquire whether they read the Bible regularly, only a few would confidently reply that they do.

The task of reading the Bible is getting difficult in our time because young generations or the millennials and generation Z, despite their high education, prefer to playing electronic gadgets rather than to read books, and printed materials become an obsolete. Yes, it is easy now to install a Bible on our cellphone but to spend time to read it is another thing. With so many other competing applications in our handheld device, reading the Word of God is easily relegated to the sideline.

St. Jerome reminds us that ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. Indeed, it is too easy to say “I love Jesus”, but in reality, we are ignoring Him because we never read or attentively listen to the Scriptures. St. Paul in the beginning of his letter to the Corinthians reminds us that we are called to saints or holy. And holiness for Paul is nothing but living in Christ, but how we can live in Christ, if we do not know Christ, worse ignore him? Reading a Bible on a daily basis can become a simple yet concrete act of loving Jesus, and in fact, the way to holiness as we become more and more like Christ.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Mengabaikan Yesus

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Minggu Kedua dari Masa Biasa [A]

19 Januari 2020

Yohanes 1: 29-34

joseph marie lagrangeKita memulai masa biasa pada tahun liturgi ini. Di Gereja Katolik, kita memiliki tiga siklus tahun liturgi: A, B, dan C. Di setiap tahun, kita memiliki serangkaian bacaan yang berbeda. Pada tahun A, bacaan Injil terutama dari Injil Matius, sementara tahun B dari Markus dan tahun C dari Lukas. Injil Yohanes tidak memiliki tahun yang khusus, tetapi bacaan dari Yohanes tersebar di sepanjang tahun, terutama di masa Paskah.

Bacaan pertama biasanya diambil dari Perjanjian Lama dan secara tematis terkait dengan bacaan Injil. Sementara bacaan kedua berasal dari surat-surat para rasul seperti St. Petrus, St. Yohanes dan surat kepada orang-orang Ibrani, namun mayoritas bacaan kedua berasal dari surat-surat St. Paul. Bacaan kedua memiliki urutannya sendiri dan tidak harus secara tematis terkait dengan Injil. Alasan di balik mengapa kita memiliki pengaturan liturgi semacam ini adalah untuk membantu kita untuk membaca Kitab Suci bersama dengan Gereja. Jika kita dengan setia menghadiri misa setiap hari Minggu, atau bahkan setiap hari, dan memperhatikan bacaan, kita akan memiliki pemahaman umum yang baik tentang Kitab Suci dan khususnya kehidupan dan karya Yesus.

Namun, tidak semua Alkitab ada dalam tahun liturgi ini. Jika kita pergi setiap hari untuk berpartisipasi dalam Ekaristi selama tiga tahun, kita hanya mendengarkan sekitar 30 persen dari Alkitab. Kita masih memiliki 70 persen untuk menyelesaikan Alkitab! Karena itu, sangat disarankan agar kita mengambil inisiatif untuk membaca Alkitab sendiri. Tiga hingga empat bab sehari, dan semoga, dalam waktu satu tahun, kita dapat membaca seluruh Alkitab.

Salah satu “penyakit berat” yang menjakiti umat Katolik dewasa ini adalah ketidaktahuan akan Kitab Suci. Ketika saya bertanya kepada beberapa orang Katolik apakah mereka memiliki Alkitab, mereka dengan mantab menjawab bahwa mereka memiliki Alkitab, dan pada kenyataannya, mereka memiliki lebih dari satu Alkitab di rumah. Namun, ketika saya menanyakan apakah mereka membaca Alkitab secara teratur, hanya sedikit yang akan menjawab dengan yakin.

Tugas membaca Alkitab semakin sulit di zaman kita karena generasi muda atau genarasi milenial dan generasi Z, meskipun berpendidikan tinggi, lebih suka bermain gadget elektronik daripada membaca buku. Ya, sekarang mudah untuk menginstal Alkitab di ponsel kita, tetapi meluangkan waktu untuk membacanya adalah hal lain. Dengan begitu banyak aplikasi lain yang bersaing dalam perangkat genggam kita, membaca Firman Tuhan dengan mudah dikesampingkan, dan bahkan kadang-kadang kita lupa ada Kitab Suci di HP kita.

St. Heronimus mengingatkan kita bahwa mengabaikan Kitab Suci adalah sama saja dengan mengabaikan Kristus. Memang, sangat mudah untuk mengatakan “Aku cinta Yesus”, tetapi dalam kenyataannya, kita mengabaikan Dia karena kita tidak pernah membaca atau mendengarkan dengan penuh perhatian Kitab Suci. Santo Paulus di awal surat pertamanya kepada jemaat Korintus mengingatkan kita bahwa kita dipanggil untuk orang-orang kudus. Dan kekudusan bagi Paulus tidak lain adalah hidup di dalam Kristus, tetapi bagaimana kita dapat hidup di dalam Kristus, jika kita tidak mengenal Kristus, lebih buruk mengabaikannya? Membaca Alkitab setiap hari dapat menjadi tindakan sederhana namun konkret untuk mengasihi Yesus, dan pada kenyataannya, jalan menuju kekudusan saat kita menjadi semakin mirip Kristus.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Rumah Tuhan

On By bayuopIn Bahasa, Ordinary TimeLeave a comment

Minggu Biasa ke-33 – 17 November 2019 – Lukas 21: 5-9

church in tacloban

Pada masa pemerintahan Herodes Agung, Bait Allah di Yerusalem diperbaharui, dihiasi oleh emas dan batu-batu mulia lainnya, diperluas, dan dengan demikian menjadikannya sebagai kebanggaan bangsa Yahudi. Namun, Bait Allah itu bukan hanya bangunan yang megah, tetapi terutama pusat ibadah agama Yahudi. Setiap pagi dan sore, korban dipersembahkan, dan setiap tahun, orang-orang Yahudi dari seluruh dunia melakukan ziarah ke Bait ini, dan memberi penghormatan kepada Tuhan Allah. Itu adalah tempat di mana Allah memilih untuk tinggal, tempat di mana orang Israel bertemu dengan Allah mereka, dan ini adalah rumah Allah.

Melihat pemandangan Bait Allah yang agung, banyak orang akan percaya bahwa Bait Allah itu akan bertahan selamanya karena Allah Sendiri akan mempertahankan rumah-Nya. Namun, Yesus bernubuat dan memberi tahu para murid-Nya bahwa Bait Allah yang indah ini akan dihancurkan. Tentunya, kata-kata Yesus menyinggung banyak orang Yahudi pada zaman-Nya dan salah satu tuduhan terhadap Yesus adalah Yesus berbicara menghujat Bait Allah, yang berarti melawan Allah Sendiri. Namun, 40 tahun kemudian setelah Yesus diangkat ke Surga, pada tahun 70 Masehi, orang-orang Romawi di bawah komando Jenderal Titus, membakar Bait Allah dan menghancurkan kota Yerusalem sampai rata dengan tanah.

Nubuat Yesus membuka kita pada kebenaran mendalam bahwa bahkan Allah mengizinkan rumah-Nya di dunia dihancurkan. Hagia Sophia di Konstantinopel (sekarang Istanbul) adalah gereja termegah di abad ke-4 dan ke-5 dan dianggap sebagai keajaiban arsitektur. Namun, ketika Konstantinopel jatuh ke tangan orang Turki, gereja ini berhenti berfungsi sebagai tempat ibadah Kristiani. Pada zaman kita, Katedral Notre Dame adalah bangunan Gotik ikonis di jantung kota Paris. Namun, pada 15 April 2019, api menghancurkan banyak bagian bangunan suci ini. Baru bulan ini, beberapa gereja di Chili menjadi sasaran para demonstran yang melakukan kekerasan. Mereka dengan paksa memasuki gereja-gereja, mengambil bangku dan benda-benda religius lainnya, dan membakar mereka di luar gereja, belum lagi, penodaan terhadap tabernakel. Rumah-rumah Tuhan telah menjadi objek vandalisme, brutalitas, dan kehancuran yang tak terhitung, dan Tuhan mengizinkan hal-hal ini terjadi di tengah-tengah kita. Tapi kenapa? Apakah Tuhan cukup lemah untuk menghentikan ini terjadi? Apakah Tuhan tidak peduli? Sudahkah Tuhan meninggalkan kita?

Gereja-gereja sebagai rumah Allah melambangkan iman kita. Serangan terhadap Gereja berarti serangan terhadap iman kita yang berharga. Jika Tuhan membiarkan rumah-Nya dihancurkan, Tuhan juga mengizinkan iman kita ditantang, dikejutkan, dan diguncang. Tuhan mengizinkan pencobaan menerpa hidup kita, keraguan atas iman kita, dan kegelapan untuk menyelimuti visi kita. Tapi kenapa?

Ketika api yang membakar Gereja Notre Dame padam, banyak hal telah hilang, tetapi di pusat Gereja, satu benda selamat dari nyala api yang menyala-nyala: salib besar berdiri tegak. Tuhan membiarkan rumah-Nya hancur, dan iman kita terguncang untuk menunjukkan kepada kita apa yang benar-benar penting dalam hidup dan perjalanan iman kita. Hanya Tuhan. Hal-hal yang kita bangun untuk Tuhan atau pekerjaan dan misi untuk-Nya, bahkan talenta, karisma, dan buah doa kita, dapat diambil oleh Tuhan dari kita. Ini memang penting, tetapi ini tidak kekal. Hanya satu yang kekal yakni Tuhan saja. Tuhan membiarkan kita terguncang sehingga kita dapat menemukan-Nya lagi, secara mengejutkan lebih hidup dan semakin dekat.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP