Ordination of Deacon Rori

Deacon Rori Prima Dani Simbolon, who served his pastoral internship here at Saint Anne's in 2024, will be ordained to the priesthood on October 8, 2026. If anyone is aware of any canonical impediment to his ordination, please inform our parish priest.

26/27 CCD Class

Classes will start every Sunday at 10:15am, beginning on 11 Oct with the "Parents Briefing."Teachers: FHC or Communion - Carlos and Dana & for the Confirmation – Chad. 

Bible Study

Bible Study has resumed andis held every Thursday evening at 7 pm (except Public Holidays ) in the Parish Hall .
All are welcome. Please contact Margie on WhatsApp App: 6801-1288 if you are interested in joining

Adult Catechism

This Sunday's readings call us to conversion. The prophet Ezekiel said that those who turned away from all the sins that they have committed shall surely live and not die. Ezekiel reminds us that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desires that they turn and live. The Gospel of Matthew teaches that conversion will bring salvation. We are called to respond and accept it.

Spiritual self-imprisonment is a real state for many people. It happens when we refuse to forgive others. Anger and hatred become our prisons. We build the walls ourselves with every bitter thought. The Bible warns us clearly about this danger.

The book of Sirach provides a direct warning about this condition. It says that if you nourish anger against another person, you cannot expect healing from the Lord. God cannot heal a heart that clings tightly to wrath. This is not a punishment from God. It is a spiritual law that operates in our souls. Our bitterness simply blocks the flow of divine mercy.

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If you nourish anger against another person, you cannot expect healing from the Lord. God cannot heal a heart that clings tightly to wrath.

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Jesus in the parable of the unforgiving servant illustrates this truth. The master forgave an enormous debt that the servant could never repay. That same servant then refused to forgive a small amount of debt from his fellow servant. The master became furious and handed him over to the torturers. Jesus concludes with a sobering statement. The heavenly Father will do the same to us unless we forgive from our hearts.

Consider a modern Christian working woman. She works in the office of a large church. A fellow staff member spreads a false rumor about her. The rumor damages her reputation among her friends and colleagues. She is deeply wounded and completely betrayed. She thinks, 'Why would he do such a thing?'

Each day she begins to run the painful event through her mind again. She feels hot anger rising in her chest whenever she sees him. She starts to plot how she can expose his lie to everyone. She wants him fired and humiliated and she wants it badly. She stops praying for him. She avoids him entirely. Her heart froze, hardened to ice. She has trouble sleeping at night and feels far from God.

Her unforgiveness is killing her spiritual life. Her prayers feel empty and useless. She cannot worship with true joy in the services. She is always tense, suspicious, and easily annoyed. She has built a strong prison around her soul. The key to that prison is in her hand. She realizes that he does not even know the depth of her daily pain. She is the one suffering the most from her anger.

During a Sunday sermon, she hears a clear message about forgiveness. She remembers the parable in Matthew chapter eighteen. She realizes that her unforgiveness is a big debt that she owes God. She decides to forgive him even if she doesn't feel like it at first. She asks for the grace to do the right thing. She begins to pray for his health and success. She decides to release the anger and the desire for revenge. This act becomes a spiritual breakthrough for her.

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Forgiveness does not excuse the wrong. Instead, it frees us from the prison of hatred and bitterness.

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The moment she truly forgives, her chains break apart. She finds peace and rest for her soul once again. Her relationship with God is restored and feels alive. Forgiveness does not excuse the wrong that he did. Instead, it frees her from the prison of hatred and bitterness. Both Sirach and Jesus provide us the same essential truth. Are we willing to forgive others to receive healing from God? We are to release others from their debts to be released ourselves. (*) 

Fr. Albertus Herwanta, O. Carm

"The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs" (Psalm 145:16). 

Why does the Catholic Church choose this Psalm for today's celebration? It seems that the Psalm summarizes the whole liturgy of the Word of the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.

The First Reading and the Gospel speak the same beautiful truth: God invites us to come to Him with our emptiness, and He meets us with overwhelming fullness. Isaiah invites the thirsty, while Jesus feeds the hungry. Both picture a God who does not merely observe our needs but actively moves to satisfy them.

Isaiah 55 begins with a stunning announcement—everything is free. Water, wine, and milk are offered without money and without cost. This is not a commercial transaction but a divine invitation. Our deepest hungers cannot be purchased with effort or good behaviour. They can only be received as gifts. God knows that we often exhaust ourselves chasing things that finally leave us empty.

In Matthew 14, we see this truth lived out. Jesus withdraws to be alone, but the crowds follow. He does not send them away. Instead, He has compassion and heals their sickness. This is the heart of God—not distant but deeply moved by human need. He does not wait for us to become worthy. He welcomes us just as we are, tired and hungry.

Isaiah then calls for a response: "Come, listen, and eat what is good." Faith is not passive. We must turn toward God, incline our ear, and receive what He offers. It is an active movement of trust. Similarly, the disciples in Matthew are told, "You give them something to eat." They are invited to participate in God's work, not just watch from the sidelines.

The disciples object because they see only five loaves and two fish—pitiful resources for such a great crowd. But Jesus takes what little they have. He blesses it, breaks it, and gives it back to them. This is the pattern of divine provision: God does not bypass our small offerings. He takes them, multiplies them, and uses them beyond our imagination.

Isaiah promises an everlasting covenant—the faithful love promised to David. This is not a temporary solution but a permanent relationship. God's commitment to us is unshakable. He does not give us a short satisfaction; He gives us Himself. And when Jesus feeds the multitude, He is doing more than filling stomachs. He is showing that God's love is abundant enough for everyone, with leftovers to spare.

Both passages teach us that satisfaction comes from God alone. Isaiah warns that earthly pursuits cannot truly satisfy the soul. The crowds in Matthew likely came seeking healing or teaching, not just food. Yet Jesus gives them everything—physical, emotional, and spiritual nourishment. He meets the whole person, because He created the whole person.

So the question for us is simple: Will we come? Will we bring our hunger, our poverty, our five loaves and two fish to Jesus? When we do, He does not shame us for our smallness. He blesses what we offer and makes it enough. His invitation still echoes today—come, drink, eat, and live. For His love never runs out, and His table is always open.(*) 

Fr. Albertus Herwanta, O. Carm

The parents of Our Blessed Lady, St. Joachim and St. Anne, give us a great lesson about spiritual inheritance. Scripture tells us little of them, but tradition has honored them as faithful parents who brought up Mary with a deep love of God. They passed on wisdom, faith, and devotion to their daughter. This we call spiritual inheritance, passing on what is most important from one generation to the next.

King Solomon asks God for wisdom in the first reading to rule God's people. He asks for no riches, no power, no long life. He asks for a heart to understand. And that pleases God. Solomon knows that wisdom is a gift from on high, and without it he cannot carry out his calling. This wisdom is more than knowledge. It is the capacity to see life from God's perspective, to choose what is right, and to lead others to the truth.

This sort of wisdom was personified in Saints Joachim and Anne. They had no riches in abundance on earth, but they had something far greater. They had the wisdom of the Lord. They lived by the Law and Prophets. They prayed and worshipped and believed the promises of God. And they laid this wisdom deep in Mary's heart. "They trained her to listen to the voice of God and to say "yes" to His will, even when it was hard." Mary was the ground of their spiritual wealth.

Mary, in turn, became the Mother of Jesus. She carried within her the very Word of God. Her "yes" at the Annunciation changed human history. It would not have been possible without the quiet, faithful example of her parents. Joachim and Anne show us that spiritual inheritance is not automatic. It is a conscious act that requires daily acts of love and prayer and teaching. Parents form their children not just by what they say, but by how they live their faith.

The Gospel today speaks of a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of priceless value. When someone finds this treasure, they sell everything to possess it. They dedicated their whole lives to obtaining it. They taught her that the Kingdom is worth more than all the world can offer. That's the best inheritance a parent can give.

Now we, the parishioners of Saint Anne's, are called to follow their example. We may not all be parents of saints, but we all have a role to play in passing on the faith. As parents, grandparents, godparents, teachers, or mentors, we all have a responsibility to the younger generation. If we live by wisdom, they will emulate it.

The challenge is real. The world offers many distractions. Materialism, digital noise and busy schedules can drown out the voice of God. We may feel unqualified to teach others. But like Solomon, we can ask God for wisdom. They leave a lasting spiritual legacy through the simplest deeds.

May Saints Joachim and Anne inspire us to accept this call. Let us open our eyes and ears to the treasure of the Kingdom and joyfully pass it on to the next generation. (*) 

Fr. Albertus Herwanta, O. Carm

Life is only once. Today's readings converge on this point: our temporal life is not an accident but a sacred opportunity. It is a gift given with purpose and a path that must be navigated with both prudence and hope. Every moment of choice echoes into eternity.

The first reading, the Book of Wisdom, represents God as a magnificent and compassionate sovereign who governs with immense might and mercy. Divine justice is a patient correction that allows individuals to repent, learn, and grow. His judgment focuses on restoration rather than condemnation. God governs, serves, and provides us with the time and grace to amend our lives and return to Him.

Saint Paul emphasizes the intercessory role of the Holy Spirit, which provides profound comfort in times of weakness. When faced with trials, we often struggle to pray deeply. However, the Holy Spirit assists by articulating our unexpressed desires with unutterable sighs. This divine support prevents us from relying solely on our inadequate abilities and aligns our deepest yearnings with God's will. It turns our weaknesses into sources of grace.

The Gospel parable of the wheat and the weeds illustrates the coexistence of good and evil in life. Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a man who sows good seeds while an enemy sows weeds among them. This situation mirrors our experiences, where we face on-going challenges, temptations, and evil influences. The master's patient restraint—choosing not to uproot the weeds immediately—signifies God's respect for the growth process. That our final destiny is shaped not by temporary failures but by our eventual commitment to goodness and perseverance.

The parable conveys the themes of spiritual warfare against evil. It suggests that the presence of weeds symbolizes a test of faith instead of a sign of God's absence. We are encouraged to navigate the tension between righteousness and evil, trusting in God's ultimate victory. While there is a real adversary, Christ serves as a powerful advocate. Living wisely requires daily choices to support the good within, avoiding distractions and sin. Finally, although we exist in a flawed world, we are not forsaken.

The readings emphasize divine patience and human responsibility, highlighting God's mercy and justice. The Holy Spirit empowers prayer and sustains hope, while Jesus assures that faithfulness leads to a bountiful harvest despite adversity.

We should approach each day with purpose and gratitude, living wisely as stewards of life's treasures. It involves forgiving others, showing mercy, and trusting in divine guidance. We must not be deterred by evil or our shortcomings, as God's grace is always sufficient. Our life should reflect active cooperation with the divine will, with the assurance that our efforts are meaningful in the eyes of the Lord.

Finally, life is a unique opportunity to respond to God's love. The Father judges with mercy, the Spirit intercedes, and the Son ensures goodness will triumph. We are encouraged to live in confident trust instead of fear. We should embrace this opportunity wholeheartedly, turning challenges into paths for holiness so that we may enter the eternal kingdom. (*) 

Fr. Albertus Herwanta, O. Carm

Jesus proclaims, "But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." (Matthew 13:16-17).

What does Jesus mean, and how does it relate to the Parable of the Sower? It is a significant statement regarding redemption, grace, and the nature of Christian discipleship. We need to explore its context, spiritual significance, and relevance to our daily lives to fully understand its meaning.

First, the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount appear in Jesus's use of the term "blessed." This blessing goes beyond human happiness. It is a supernatural joy deriving from God's favor, a heavenly endorsement that acknowledges a person as the Creator's beloved.

Unlike the world, which cherishes wealth, power, and comfort, this blessedness finds peace in spiritual poverty, mercy, and even persecution for righteousness' sake. When Jesus calls the disciples' eyes and ears "blessed," He is praising their spiritual receptivity to recognize and accept the divine mysteries unfolding before them.

Why does Jesus make this statement? The reason is rooted in salvation history. For centuries, the Old Testament prophets and righteous figures—Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others—yearned for the coming of the Messiah and the full revelation of God's plan. They saw and heard prophetic whispers, but they did not witness the Incarnation, the miracles, the passion, or the resurrection.

So, Jesus is telling His disciples that they live in the era of fulfillment. Their physical eyes see the very Word of God made flesh; their physical ears hear the teaching of the Son of God. This is a gratuitous gift of God's grace, placing them at the climax of redemptive history.

These verses are connected to the entire passage of Matthew 13:1-23, the Parable of the Sower. According to the parable, the road, rocky ground, thorns, and fertile soil are the four types of soil on which the seed of God's Word falls. The fruitful soil is symbolized by the disciples. They listen to the story and try to figure out what it means. They are able to comprehend the Kingdom because of their "blessed eyes and ears", whereas the others are only exposed to the story without understanding it. Jesus emphasizes that the Father bestows spiritual insight on those who are open, humble, and seeking the truth.

In applying Christian meanings to our lives, we acknowledge that our eyes and ears serve as primary gateways to the soul. They are overwhelmed by influences from social media and entertainment. We must question whether our focus is on the beauty of God's creation, the dignity of each individual, and the needs of our neighbors, or whether we instead succumb to gossip, slander, and the false promises of modern idols. The Catholic Church emphasizes that achieving purity of heart requires mindful guardianship of our senses, training them to guard against impure desires and directing our attention toward God.

In conclusion, Jesus' announcement of blessedness serves as both a gift and a call to action. We are blessed through the complete divine revelation in Christ and His Church, which motivates us to cultivate the "good soil" of our hearts. This cultivation allows the Word to take root and yield fruit. We should pray for the transformation of our senses into tools of love, truth, and eternal salvation.(*) 

Father Albertus Herwanta, O. Carm

Introduction

Does God notice small good deeds we perform? Today's readings offer an answer. The first reading and the Gospel speak of the reward received by those who welcome God's messengers, whether prophets or righteous ones. How can we understand it and apply it in our daily lives?

Hospitality That Bears a Miracle

The account in 2 Kings 4 begins with a wealthy woman in Shunem. She and her husband voluntarily prepare a small upper room for the prophet Elisha. She expects nothing in return; she is moved simply by a heart attentive to the needs of God's servant. Yet God does not remain silent. Elisha asks his servant Gehazi what can be done to repay her kindness. It turns out the Shunammite is barren, and her husband is old. The prophet then delivers this promise: "At this time next year, you shall hold a son in your arms." Her reward is not money or wealth, but a child—a blessing surpassing all treasure. She serves out of faith, and God responds with abundant grace.

The Significance of Rewards Given to the Prophet and the Righteous

Our Lord Jesus expands this principle. Matthew 10:37–42 is part of his instruction when sending out the Twelve. He says, "Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward." What does this verse mean? Jesus teaches that God notices not only great ministries, but also small acts done in faith. That reward is not always material; it can be spiritual joy, growth in faith, deeper communion with God, or treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20). The point is that when we welcome a messenger of God, we share in God's work through that messenger. We receive the "prophet's reward" because we partake in the blessings that accompany the prophet's ministry.

Practical Application: Faithfulness in Small Things

This reflection invites us to examine our lives. Are we attentive to the needs of God's servants around us? We may not need to provide a room, but simply pray, offer moral support, or share material resources. Such deeds may seem small, yet in God's eyes they merit a heavenly reward. Never tire of doing charitable deeds. The Lord sees every heart's intention. If we act out of love for him and recognize his call upon those he sends, we too receive the same reward: communion with God and his favor.

Conclusion

Both the story of the Shunammite woman and Jesus' teaching illustrate that God is never late in repaying goodness done in faith. The reward of the prophet and the reward of the righteous are not merely a future recompense but also a present reality—we live in the presence of God, who sees, accompanies, and sustains us. Are we ready to welcome God's messengers with open hearts? For by serving them, we truly serve the Lord himself. And the reward of all this is to know him more closely and to experience his unending love. (*)