Delivered by Samuel Ivan Gunarsa from the Parish of Mary of All the Nations in the Diocese of Bogor, Indonesia. Isaiah 41: 13-20; Rs psalm 145: 1.9.10-11.12-13ab; Matthew 11: 11-15.

THE LORD IS SLOW TOANGER AND RICH IN LOVE

Our meditation today isentitled: The Lord is Slow to Anger and Rich in Love. At the moment ofgraduation and thanksgiving for the success achieved after college, the eldestof three siblings did not cease to express thanks and joy. First he thanked Godwho always cared and protected him during college years. Next to the parentswho were very caring and loving to support their eldest son who spent six yearsin college. He truly honors, respects and loves them.

He told his ownstory. During the years in college he had to interrupt his study twice. Thefirst is when he and student activists must face the decision of the city courtand undergo detention. The second is when he was involved in a motorcycleaccident and spent many times for treatment and recovery. Both of these eventsforced him to quit college for more than a year. Then how would the family andespecially his parents react?

Even with all theirregret and disappointment, they are still parents to their son. For thatreason, the son also continues to rely on the role of their parents to providesupport and strength. The son also remains a son who is dependent on hisparents. All the patience, sincerity and struggle of the parents that neverdiminished, truly became a help for the young man to go through hard times andfinally he regained everything and was able to continue his studies. And inthat moment of graduation then the thanksgiving followed, he looked so specialbecause he so realized that he had survived and succeeded.

The experience ofsuccess and change in this young man is strongly supported by one main factor, namelythe attention and care of his parents. For the believers, the same experienceis what they have with God. There are so much successes, achievements,progresses and salvations they have in life in the world. All are from theprovidence of God. Although they recognize themselves as sinners and are alwaystempted by evil influences of the world, God does not stop or refrain His help forthem.

This kind of conceptionor understanding is a healthy attitude of faith. Lord Jesus is always in this actwhen he provides strength, comfort and safety for the lost sheeps. He is theLord who is patient, slow to anger and rich in love. The responsorial psalm oftoday confirms the nature of God as such, namely through His patience, sinnersand people who are weak still have many opportunities to repent or change.God's great love is revealed through His actions to redeem those who hope forsalvation and new life.

Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus, in Your power, we are able to always follow Your wisdom, sothat our lives are truly pleasing to You. Our Father who art in heaven ... Inthe name of the Father ...