Delivered by Randy from the Parish of Christ The King in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Romans 4: 20-25; Rs psalm 1: 69-70.71-71.73-75; Luke 12: 13-21.

WE ARE COUNTED BY GOD

Our meditation todayis entitled: We Are Counted by God. There is a teenager boy who once was talkingon something with his mother. He questioned why he had been baptized as aninfant, whereas if he was now a teenager, he himself would choose to bebaptized. He wanted to do his own profession of faith. But the motherexplained, that his choice and profession of faith were already represented byhis parents.

This is exactly whatproclaimed by Saint Paul in his Letter to the Romans, that through the faith ofAbraham, we all share in the same faith. Every baptized person follows this sayand is represented, as in the baptism of that teenager, to take part in the savingwork of Jesus Christ. When someone is counted, it means he or she is on list ofthe plan and work of God. We are counted on that list because we follow andshare in the life of Christ. Abraham had all this experience of faith when hewas alive. All who are after him also have his share of faith.

The generous andalmighty God counts on everyone and has their names in the list. But beingregistered is not without any measure. There must be a standard of being chosenand completing requirements. The door is narrow and every one must be able topass through it. Whoever is found not wearing the dress party for the banquetof the Lord will be rejected to enter the kingdom of God. Those who do not denythemselves and take up their crosses are not worthy of Him. These are thestandard examples that we find in the scriptures.

In other words, thecondition that is asked from us is to follow the standards of Jesus Christ.Today's Gospel reaffirms condition according to that standard, that a person ismade worthy and being counted in the plan of salvation. Our main achievement isof the spiritual growth and the salvation of our souls. The word of God and allHis commands are the sources of nourishment for our spiritual growth. Then whatwe can establish on this earth is a life of the kingdom of God.

Although we areindeed in the world and cannot be separated from physical reality and sociallife, it is our spiritual dimension that must animate and direct this life.Because if there is no spiritual power that directs our lives, and if onlyphysical-material-social orientation that lead this world, our fate on thisworld will be like the rich man with abundant fruits of his lands but hopelessto possess the Kingdom of God, as told by the today's Gospel.

What use of allthings, materials, reputation, titles and achievements of fame in this world,if none of these can let a person to be counted by the Lord! Precisely theaccount is about our souls, our spiritual life, which follows the way of JesusChrist.

Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus, purify our hearts that we may be able to follow the way thatleads us to Your heart, and to carry out the will of the Father. Our Father inheaven ... In the name of the Father ...