Delivered by Nia from the Parish of Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. Ephesians 2: 19-22; Rs psalm 19: 2-3.4-5; Luke 6: 12-19.

WAR AGAINST TERROR

Our meditation todayis entitled: War Against Terror. Our world today and all mankind know andunderstand about terrorism. Particularly in Indonesia, the threat of terrorismis insistent and evident, and it happens almost every year. One person or groupof terror can be overcome by the government and law enforcers, but anotherperson or group comes in. The threat is so serious that the government and allthe citizens have to work together to fight it.

Our Church has obligationto fight against terrorism today with much greater spiritual power, done by allher members. The Church does this with Jesus. He had done it in His publicservice in the world. On one special occasion he chose Simon the Zealot andJudas, along with ten other apostles to form an elite community of strong andfaithful men to be his “army”. Today the whole Church celebrates the feast ofthe apostles Simon and Judas who are from this community.

The word"Zealot" means terrorist. This Simon came from a rebel group whofought against the Roman colonials. They were known by the name Zealots, in theGreek language named Kana'im, that means the jealousy of God. They did not wanttheir God to be disturbed by other groups. Jesus must choose strong and trustedpeople to be with Him in the war against all forms of evil in this world. Those12 apostles are the strong pillars for the foundation of the Church.

Before meeting Jesus,Saint Paul often acted like a terrorist. According to the Acts of the Apostles,he pursued, arrested and sent to prison men and women who followed Christ. Heeven said this: I really acted wildly burning with anger towards Christians,whom I chased even to cities in foreign lands (Acts 26,11).

The group thatspreads terror, nowadays known as the radicals, brings fear all over the world.Are we sure that Jesus has the power to change the hardest hearts of theterrorists? Jesus changed Saint Simon and Saint Paul, and to this day Heremains the same God who can change the hearts of terrorists. They not onlychanged their hearts and direction of life, but they also are made so useful asthe foundation for the building up of the Church, the house and community ofGod's people where every and all believers included. Saints Simon, Judas andPaul are now “generals” in the kingdom of God, to protect and care for ourChurch.

Jesus overcomesterrorists with love. We all use the same love to overcome the terrors of eviland darkness in our community of faith. But we must be with Christ. Withouthim, we do nothing.

Let's pray. In the name of the Father... Lord Jesus, our good and wise teacher, make us Your soldiers to fight andsacrifice ourselves to defeat the evils that threaten Your Church. Glory to theFather and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...