GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE WHO NEED
Our meditation today has the theme: Good News for Those who Need. Until now, all of humanity is still overshadowed by the dangers of the threat of Covid-19. What should be the good news and what pleases everyone during this time of trouble? Most likely the good news is that more or almost all members of society get vaccinated. The good news for us might be the discovery of the appropriate medicine to fight the Corona virus. Or the good news for us would be the rise of great optimism of the people to rebuild their economy.
As followers of Christ, we are very grateful that the sharing of good news or the Gospel was the main task of Jesus Christ while on earth. He established a mission to be fulfilled, which is His followers should become the good news in their personal lives as well as in the life together with their fellowmen. When Jesus came to preach in the synagogue in his native place, he stated that his mission was to proclaim the good news, and his words were accomplished when they reached the ears of the listeners and benefited them.
In general, there are two types of listeners to the Word of the Lord Jesus. Those who hear His Word, but feel threatened, offended, ashamed and angry, they belong to the group of people from the native place of Jesus who rejected and hated Him as the Messiah. As for those who are happy and grateful with His Word, they actually belong to the poor in general. They long and continue to yearn for the Word. Their poverty includes the aspects of goods, property, social, cultural, mental and spiritual limitations.
All those who need the good news are those who yearn for an oasis of God's mercy and blessing. They certainly see and listen in Jesus’s words and acts as the experience of their deliverance. Jesus chooses to be on their side. In fact, every follower of Christ also takes on the trust and responsibility to carry out their mission as the bearer of the good news of Jesus Christ. There are so many people in need, such as family members, friends and even strangers.
Each of us has certain limitation that make us desperately need the good news, namely the liberating power of Jesus, which is often expressed through the care of one of our brothers or sisters and friends. In principle, we need God's intervention in our lives. At least we expect it, and never underestimate it. May each of us every day say to ourselves in this expression: I need the good news of the Lord.
Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus Christ, may through Your words today, we love more and more every word You proclaim to us, which will give us the joy of deliverance and salvation. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit... In the name of the Father...