Delivered by Christine Gunawan from the Parish of Saint Joseph Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Pontianak and Yurika Gunawan from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Malachi 4: 19-20a; Rs psalm 98: 5-6.7-8.9a; 2 Thessalonians 3: 7-12; Luke 21: 5-19.

THE CALLING TO ENDURE

The title for ourmeditation today is: The Calling to Endure. There was a big fight going on in afamily. It started from a misunderstanding of husband and wife. Because eachdid not accept the other, one threatened the other to get out of the house. Thehusband prepared to get out of the house. But at the same time, the wife wasalso preparing to leave. All three children cried and tried their best to stoptheir parents' try to leave the house. They put all effort to prevent thisfrightening act they did not want to happen. The eldest son accompanied by histwo younger siblings stood at the door to prevent the father or mother fromleaving the house.

Because of the strongefforts of the three children, the parents put off their desire to get out ofthe house. This happening in this family actually illustrates two importantthings that determine the fate of the family: escape from problems or endure toface and overcome them. The choice made indicates one's human quality and spiritualstrength.

There are so manyproblems and difficulties we face in this life. Today's Gospel illustrates anumber of big, complicated and very frightening problems. These two choicesalways challenge us to choose which is the best. For the best option, JesusChrist commands us to choose to endure. He gives us a perfect example, namelyHimself who endured to the end of His life, during the moment on the cross asHe cried out before his last breath: "It's finished".

The Lord Jesus indeedasks us to endure whatever the circumstances at any time. Our goal to endure isthat we may obtain salvation in the hands of God. There are several supporting elementsthat help us to endure. First is the promise of the coming of the Lord on theday according to God’s will. If there is promise as the truth to hold on, thefact that the promise is made for us by the Lord himself as stated by the thebook of the Prophet Malachi, people certainly have reason to stay and toendure. Second, according to the responsorial psalms of today, the realizationof the promise is very important. Everyone is certain about his or her destiny,which is determined by the final judgment to decide on every human person’sworthiness  to enter the kingdom ofheaven.

Third is the abilityto use the time during the periode of endurance. This ability refers to theattitudes a calmness, patience, and keep working to solve the problems we faceon earth. Maybe the problem is about many people around us who are jobless,insufficiency of people's basic needs and other real problems that humans faceat the present moment. In this period of endurance, we must be able to work forthe salvation of all souls that the Lord Jesus Christ has promised us and hasmandated us to do. To endure in emptiness is the same as foolishness.

Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O heavenly Father, may this Sunday celebration fill us with ability andenthusiasm to endure in this life. Glory to the Father and to the Son and tothe Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father...