Delivered by Ellyanne from the Parish of Saint James in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. Isaiah 30: 19-21.23-26; Rs psalm 147: 1-2.3-4.5-6; Matthew 9: 35 - 10: 1.6-8.

JESUS CALLS AND GIVES US HIS POWER

Our meditation today is entitled: Jesus Calls andGives Us His Power. There was a nurse who worked in the emergency room of thehospital. Every day she saw people coming with various wounds and anxieties.One night, an elderly patient went into the room with a state of panic becausethere was no family to accompany him. The nurse sat for a while, clasped thepatient's hand, and said, "I'm here, you're not alone." The sentencewas simple, but it calmed the patient down. The nurse might feel that she wasdoing only a small task, but in reality she was a "shepherd" who ispresent for a lost sheep. Through her, God speaks: "This is the way,follow this way—the way of mercy."

In today's Gospel, we see Jesus looking at the crowdwith a heart moved by compassion. He saw them as sheep without ashepherd—tired, lost, and thirsty for hope. Jesus' view was more than sympathy;He sees man's deepest needs, and he responds with action. Jesus does not remainsilent to see the wounded world, but He is present as the True Shepherd whoguides, heals, and gives life.

There was a time Jesus called His twelve disciples. Henot only chose them, but also empowered them to do the work that hadpreviously been done only by Him: healing, consoling, casting out demons, andproclaiming that the Kingdom of God was near. With this action, Jesus entrustedHis mission to the disciples. They did not walk under their own strength, butrather carried the power that came from God. This is where we see that the callis always accompanied by the instruments God graciously gives us.

Jesus' call in the days of the apostles continues tothis day. Every believer, regardless of profession, is called to be a sign ofthe presence of God's Kingdom. Some are called to be pastors in the Church,some are educators, health workers, social workers, or faithful family members.In each of those calls, Jesus gives His power: the power to love more, toendure adversity, to heal the inner wounds of others, and to be a peacemaker.We are not sent alone; It is the Holy Spirit who works through us.

Often, God's call comes in seemingly so ordinarysituations. A small word, a brother's need, or a cry from an injured person canbe an invitation for us to act. Jesus calls us not because we are perfect, butbecause He wants to express His power through our limitations. Just as thedisciples were simple but sent to great work, so we are called to proclaim theface of God in the midst of the world: to bring hope, to bring joy, and to healthe wounded.

Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Almighty God,fill us with the power of Your Spirit and enable us to do Your will as JesusChrist, our Lord and Teacher, has done. Glory to the Father and to the Son andto the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...