Delivered by Jeril from the Parish of Saint Joseph in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Isaiah 40: 25-31; Rs psalm 103: 1-2.3-4.8.10; Matthew 11: 28-30.

OVERCOMING WEAKNESSES

The title for ourmeditation today is: Overcoming Weaknesses. Our preparation during Adventseason for welcoming the Lord's coming, among the many things to do, issomething that will be the focus of our today's reflection, namely to overcomeour own weaknesses. Our deficiency in the form of physical and mental pain orilness is the most common weakness in us. The surce of this weakness is eitherfrom within or outside ourselves.

All weaknesses inthis world and in our lives are temporary. For example, people who have canceror high blood pressure will experience their freedom only after they die. Afterdeath they no longer have cancer or high blood pressure. Many people and maybeyou often complain and say this following statement: "How long will mypatience be in the midst of problems and sufferings I face?" This is thegeneral attitude of us human beings towards the weaknesses that we have, and weseem to believe that problems and sufferings are heavier than our abilities toovercome.

Our weaknesses oftenseem so real that they can be seen by others. With the existence of a verywidespread communication tools and the mentality of people today to freely spreadinformation, these weaknesses easily become so interested by many people. Oftenin this way, people who are victims of oppression, harassment or slander willsuffer even more greater. Human weaknesses are thus easy to become a tool ofoppression, violence and profit for those who have power.

From the point ofview of the Christian faith, this weakness in humans must be transformed tobecome strength, to be more positive and to encourage us to live a good life inaccordance with God's will. If God's will requires a person to be faithful inhis daily prayers and Sunday obligation, he must change the habit of forgettingthem or the tendency to overwork so to cause him not anymore having enough timefor God. Faith in God always has a function to correct human weaknesses andshortcomings, so that we can restore again our dignity as true human persons.  

In this moment ofAdvent, it is very necessary to renew wrong attitudes and bad habits thatprevent us from doing good. Since people are often not able to get out of theirown weaknesses, it is very necessary to rely on God's power to overcome thoseweaknesses. The book of the prophet Isaiah confirms that God Almighty givesstrength to those who are weak. Likewise the Lord Jesus Christ invites andattracts people who are weak, tired and weary to come to Him. He provides allpossibilities to make them refreshed and recovered.

Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O most loving Lord, strengthen us so that we can renew ourselves from ourweaknesses and become more passionate to love you and our neighbours. Glory tothe Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father...