LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

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BEHIND THE NECKLACE

Gordy Afri Sunday, October 14, 2018

October 15, 2018

BEHIND THE NECKLACE

Luke 11: 29-32

In Thailand, many people use the necklace of Buddha. Everywhere we can see how the people use it in many forms. In the middle, there is a picture or a little statue of Buddha. The Buddha’s necklace here is like a cross’ necklace in some European countries. It same also for the Christians and Catholics youth in Indonesia.

Today’s Gospel tells about the sign. The people ask the sign to Jesus. For Jesus, no other sign for them, except the sign of Jonah. This sign shows the power of life after spending three days inside the fish’s stomach. This sign must be a powerful sign to be faithful to the Lord, the sign of fidelity. But, this is their lacking.

Like for the Catholics youth, the Thai people or Buddhi’s people, the necklace is a sign of faithful. The faithful to Buddha. The cross necklace for a Christian must be a sign reminds him to become faithful to the Lord. For us, the series of life, death, and resurrection of Christ are the unique sign for our faith. It reminds us about the love of our Lord to all of us. Even Though we don’t use the cross necklace, the series is a big and powerful sign for us.

So, do we need the other sign also?

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WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE

Gordy Afri Sunday, October 14, 2018

October 14, 2018

WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE

Mark 10: 17-30

I’m studying the Thai Language. Every day I have something to do with this study: the homework, reading, writing, and many others things. Sometimes, I feel good, I am very happy, for instance when the teacher said, "Ooww you are very good," after seeing my homework. But, sometimes, I feel down, I am sad. Anyway, every day I have to face these things. And, little by little arrive many plans in my head: like I must know this language, I must write in Thai, I must read very well in Thai. Shortly, I have many purposes for what I must do with the Thai language. But, many times I feel in failure. I wanted to read in Thai but I don’t know the Thai characters, the Thai alphabet. I want to write in Thai but I don’t know how to make the sentence with the Thai alphabet.

Today’s Gospel tells about almost the same thing. There is a young rich man who wants to know the way to eternal life. He asks this to Jesus. Jesus in that point doesn’t answer his question, about the way to eternal life. Jesus gives him the way to love each other. All the things that Jesus asks to him are about the relationship with the other, not the relation with God. Don’t kill, don’t commit adultery, don’t bear false witness, honour your father and your mother. It means that the way to eternal life is loving each other. No other way.

Sometimes, we think the great things about our Lord but we forgot that God is present in simple people. We think that only the rich people can praise and glorify the Lord because they have money to make the pilgrimage to the holy land. We forgot that if we help the poor people around us, we make the pilgrimage to eternal life.

Jesus doesn’t hate the rich people or poor people. Jesus hates the rich and the poor people who have a rich mentality, who wants to collect and collect much money, and doesn’t want to share with the other. Not only the rich people but also the poor people have a rich mentality, who continue to have more and more. The rich according to Jesus is someone who shares his own things with the other. Many you share many you get, and you feel very rich.

In this Eucharist, let us pray to the Lord so that all of us have a poor mentality poor in Christ so that we can help and love each other, find the face of our Lord in the face of the other.

Happy Sunday

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BLESSED THE WOMB

Gordy Afri Saturday, October 13, 2018

October 13, 2018

BLESSED THE WOMB

Luke 11: 27-28

Many times, I see the mothers who are very happy telling the success story of their children. “My son has a job now, thanks be to God.” This is only one of the many stories. For the rich people, this kind of story perhaps not so great to be proud. But, it is different if the poor family tells it.

Success is the source of joy for the mothers. In today’s Gospel, someone greets the mother of Jesus. “Blessed the womb that bore you….” This greeting means that Jesus is a good son. He makes his mother full of joy.

The joy for Jesus is more than this. Jesus stress on those who listen to the Word of God and observes it. This is another joy that more deeply than the first. We know that Mary, mother of God, is one who completes these things. She is an example for all the Christians.

Let us pray with her particularly in this period, dedicated as a rosary month.

Happy weekend.

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BASED ON OPINION

Gordy Afri Friday, October 12, 2018

October 12, 2018

BASED ON OPINION

Luke 11: 15-26

Yesterday afternoon, for the first time, I spoke with one Russian worker who serves in our house. Usually, I just greet him in English when we are facing because I don’t know if he speaks Thai or English. After introducing himself, he suddenly asked me, “Do you like Donald Trump?” I told Him that I don’t have many interests to know Trump. He replied that I can know him by listening to the radio news or television. And, I said that I don’t read many things about Donald Trump and I don’t watch TV or listen to the radio.

Shortly, I told him that I don’t like Trump only about his choice for the immigrant people in the USA. I was very sad listening about the Mexican children who were separated from their family because their parents had a problem with their documents. Other things about him, I don’t know. He told me that he doesn’t like Trump because he makes the rich people become very rich and the poor become very poor. He listened to it from his friends.

Today’s Gospel shows us about the power of Jesus won against the Satan. His power is very powerful than the power of Satan. Even Jesus won, many people asked Him about his power. Some of them judged Him that He won against the Satan with the power of Beelzebul. If Jesus uses the power of Satan how come He make fall the Satan?

Their judgment doesn’t have a strong argument. We can say that this judgment based only on the listening and not on the experiencing about it. We can not make like this. If we want to speak about Jesus, we must have a relation with Him. We can not tell many things about Jesus by giving the information that we receive from the other people. I believe, in this case, we can share the outcome of our relation with Him.

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SUCCESS BY WISH

Gordy Afri Thursday, October 11, 2018

October 11, 2018

SUCCESS BY WISH

Luke 11: 5-13

When I arrived in Bangkok, I need the soap to take a shower. I asked my friend and he accompanied me to one place where there are many things. There are some kinds of soap. He suggested me to choose what I want. He told me that in this room we have many things for the poor people. We give it to those who really need it. And, even we give many things, many things also we receive from many people.

Today’s Gospel talks about the prayer. This is the topic that we read already yesterday. Jesus invites us to continue to pray in faith. Pray in faith means pray to the Lord without stress on our need. We pray and we hope God gives us what we ask, but even God doesn’t give us about it, we continue to pray. The reason is this, we pray to Our Father and not to ask what we want. Jesus also talks that when we ask, continue to ask, and then we will receive it.

I think that what we make here with many things we receive is an application about this persistent prayer. We continue to give, and we continue to receive. Let us pray to the Lord so that we have this kind of attitude to have the persistent prayer.

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THE SIMPLE PRAYER

Gordy Afri Wednesday, October 10, 2018

October 10, 2018

THE SIMPLE PRAYER

Luke 11: 1-4

When I meet the people after the mass, I always receive the famous messages: Father pray for me. This phrase is repeated many times. This phrase appears also in my personal messages like WhatsApp, Facebook, line, and email. I always reply to them: we pray together.

Today’s Gospel tells about the prayer. The disciples ask Jesus how to pray. He explains them this simple prayer: Our Father. I think that this prayer is very easy. Everyone can proclaim it in every time and place. We can say it in a personal way, without disturb the others.

When I meet the driver who said: Father please pray for me, I don't have time to pray, I told Him: please just say Our Father.

How I pray? How many times do I recognise God in my prayer?

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LEARN TO LISTEN

Gordy Afri Tuesday, October 09, 2018

October 9, 2018

LEARN TO LISTEN

Luke 10: 38-42

Reflecting on today’s Gospel, I find myself on the contrary way. The Gospel invites us to become an audience than a spokesman. But, at this moment, I am learning the Thai Language, so I learn to more speak. Even this is only an exercise, until now, I don’t have many vocabularies. Every day, I try to reply to the question of the teacher and my friend but many times I fold because I can not understand the question.

I think that at this moment Jesus invites us, invites me, to learn how to listen to Him. Maria shows us his way, that is to sit in the feet of Jesus and listen to Him. What I’m doing now can bring me to more listen and sit. Now, maybe I need to more speak than listen but will come the time for me, to be more listen than speak.

In our busy days, we try to listen to the Word of God, in our particular way. Someone can download the daily short meditation. Others may be to enter the church and just see the holy cross. Other again maybe can read the daily Gospel in his office.

Let us try it.

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SMILE OF CHILD

Gordy Afri Saturday, October 06, 2018

October 6, 2018

SMILE OF CHILD

Luke 10: 17-24

Every day, I pass by a Catholic school. After parking the motorcycle, we walk through the entering area of the school. I always smile here, seeing the children who kiss the mothers’ or fathers’ hand in the morning or those who running forward their parents at the end of the school time. Really, I always enjoy this view. I see the joy and happiness of the children and the parents. There, at this moment, happiness is not a concept but a real fact.

Today’s Gospel shows us the joy of the disciples of Jesus after doing their mission. Like the children, the disciples talk to Jesus that they reach the high success. Their power from Jesus can fall the satan’s power. Here, we see not only the power of Jesus but also how the disciples manage the evil that they face.

We face the evil in our daily life. We joy but behind this, we face the difficult moment. Jesus gives us always new strength in faith every moment if we ask to Him and we dedicate time to listen to Him. Meditation and prayer are the best moments to listen to Jesus. If we feel his presence in our daily life, we can joy like the children who finish his class and share his joy to his parents.

Happy weekend.

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CONDOLENCE FOR PALU

Gordy Afri Friday, October 05, 2018

October 5, 2018

CONDOLENCE FOR PALU

Luke 10: 13-16

When I was reading the news about Indonesia, my friend from India came and said, “my condolence for you. I heard the natural disaster in your country.”

“Thanks,” I replied to him.

We know it very well. Palu now is very famous because of this earthquake and tsunami, happened on Friday, September 28 ago. This natural event not only brings bad news for us in Indonesia but also for many people, including the scientists. As usual, many people use this moment to warn the others. They said that this is a punishment for the city. The scientists are very confused about this event because they can not know exactly how this happened. All of this brings us to see Palu’s people in this days.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns the cities Chorazin and Bethsaida. Jesus does it not because of their sin but because they refused the Good News from God. Yesterday, we read how Jesus sends the disciples to many places. These two cities don’t want to receive the messenger of Jesus. Jesus in today’s Gospel doesn’t punish them but gives them the warning. The warning that must they know and must give more attention.

What Jesus did is actually for us also. The event of Palu can be a warning for us. How we read the sign of nature around us. This event invites us--like to the scientists--to think more and more be aware of our relationship with nature. This is not the punishment for Palu but the warning for all for us.

I give the greeting from my friend to the Palu’s people. May this condolence flye to Palu.

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SAINT FRANCIS FROM BANGKOK

Gordy Afri Thursday, October 04, 2018

October 4, 2018

SAINT FRANCIS FROM BANGKOK

Luke 10: 1-12

In Bangkok, I see every day, the Buddhist monk who go around to receive the food from the people. They bring a kind of basin inside of their orange tunic. Many times, I see how the people give them some food. One lady buys them the food and before giving it to them, they kneel down, seems like asking for prayer. Then, the food passed to the monks.

This scene is really interested in me. Behind this view, I see how the people have a kind of sensitive attitude to take care of the monks. In the monk’s attitude, I see this kind of entrusting in God’s providence. They may be don’t aware about it, but as a Catholic, I see with my eyes’ faith that this is really a God’s providence.

One of the ways to reach this God’s providence is to living in poverty. Saint Francis of Assisi is one example for us. He left his rich family and lives with a new lifestyle, living in poverty. In this way, we trust our need in the God’s hand. He will send us the things that we really need—like food for the monks—through the other. Life in this way is like a share something to the others. The Buddhist people in Bangkok can help us to do the same thing.

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MOVING OTHER PEOPLE

Gordy Afri Wednesday, October 03, 2018

October 3, 2018

MOVING OTHER PEOPLE

Luke 9: 57-62

Every morning when I go to school, I see one old man sit on the right side of the road in Bangkok. He doesn’t change his clothes. Looks like one who doesn’t have a home to stay at. Or maybe, he doesn’t have a family to take care. Really, this old man doesn’t have a place to put his head.

I was thinking about him when I reflected this gospel. I asked, is Jesus like this man? Jesus doesn’t have a house to take a rest. Yes, when Jesus said like this, he likes to give the message to his followers that this world is not our eternal house. Our eternal house is there, where the Father is preparing for each one of us. Following Jesus then means that letting go on without going or looking back. The only one that we can follow is Jesus Christ. He is our compass.

Do I want to follow Jesus? Maybe Jesus appears in front of us like the old man in Bangkok. He looks like lifeless but I think that he is an inspirator for us. He makes us more careful with the others. Looking him must be like an invitation for us to taking care of the others.

Have a nice day.

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SIGNS OF GOD'S PRESENCE

Gordy Afri Tuesday, October 02, 2018

Oktober 2, 2018

SIGNS OF GOD'S PRESENCE

Mat 18: 1-5, 10

One time, I visited one of my relatives in the other city. I saw the little cemetery beside his house. I asked him about it. He told me that, one of his children has died and they gave him rest in that place. He also explained to me that this child is an angel for all of them in the family.

Yes, we have this kind of claim that the people who died especially the children become our angels. They don’t have sins so they are holy almost like the angels. In the today’s Gospel Jesus invites us to become like a child who depends his life on the others, the parents, his brothers and sisters. Our life must be like the child’s life. We depend on the God.

We are celebrating the memorial of The Holy Guardian Angels. Everyone has a guardian angel. Pope Francis said that the angels are the sign of the presence of God in our daily life. Let us know their presence in our daily life.

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ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?

Gordy Afri Thursday, September 27, 2018

September 28, 2018

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?

Luke 9: 18-22

In the Union Thai Language School of Bangkok, my classmate from Taiwan asked me, “Are you a Christian?” I replied, “I am a Catholic.”

For me, this conversation was very nice. Saying I am a Catholic or a Christian means that I believe in Christ. But, it is really I believe in Christ? How do I believe in Christ? Just saying it or creating a relationship with Him?

Today’s Gospel talks about the identity of Jesus for us. Who is Jesus for me? For you also. Everyone can have his own answer. For me, sometimes I said He is my friend, sometimes He is my Father, my protector, etc. Maybe for you, readers, He is a guide in daily life.

Like I said yesterday, finding the identity of Jesus is our task in daily life. It is not enough to say I believe in Christ. Recognizing his presence in our daily life is one of the many ways that we have to find Him.

So, do I feel His presence in my daily life?

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FOUND BY GOD

Gordy Afri Wednesday, September 26, 2018

September 27, 2018

FOUND BY GOD

Luke 9: 7-9

Some of my friends, Christians and not, have this question: do you believe that Jesus is the son of God?

I think that they still have a curiosity about Jesus. They want to know who Jesus is. Some of them also know that Jesus is one of the holy men in the world, one of the prophets, son of Mary and Joseph, etc.

Herod in today's Gospel has the same curiosity. He wants to know who is Jesus. He is a king who uses the power in his kingdom. After using all of this, he still remains in curiosity about Jesus. It is same to say that, all his power is passed but Jesus remains to be sought.

Seeking or finding Jesus must be our daily desire. I like to repeat this phrase, Yes...I want to find Jesus today, Yes...I want to seek Jesus today. But as you know, Jesus is very difficult to find, to seek. What we can do is to let Him find us, to let Him seek us, to let ourselves to be found and to be sought by Him.

Jesus is always with us, but if we don’t let Him come to us, we can not find it. Jesus, help me to be sought by you.

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BROKEN BY JESUS

Gordy Afri Saturday, September 22, 2018

September 22, 2018

BROKEN BY JESUS

Luke 8: 4-15

Going around the slum area in Bangkok, I find the beautiful thing to reflect. One day, we visited one family. The Father sleeps on the floor, based on a simple mattress. He doesn't want to change his clothes. Really, he is angry when we change it. My friend told me that he did not want to change the bed. Before, he slept on the trash. I can say that this attitude is like a rock that so difficult to break, to destruct.

Sometimes, facing the Word of God, our heart is like a rock, a stone. I myself feel it many times. I listen to it but I don’t want enter more deeply in the close relationship with the Word, with Jesus our Lord. So, this Word of God is like one or one things that pass by in my daily life. Today's Gospel reminds me, reminds us that only God can change our heart. He can break our rocky-heart and gives us new open-heart that ready to receive the Word of God.

Today, I pray so that we can let God breaks our rocky-heart and then we receive His Word. Receiving it means we walk with Him in our daily life.

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BECAUSE OF LOVE

Gordy Afri Wednesday, September 19, 2018

September 19, 2018

BECAUSE OF LOVE

Luke 7: 31-35

Love has a big meaning. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain or to understand. We can only feel it that love is the big meaning thing.

This love appears in the life of a wife of one sick people that we visited yesterday in the slum area of Bangkok. The husband is sick. He always sleeps. Maybe the doctor will say, we just wait for the best moment of him. But, the wife is always faithful stay beside him. I saw the inner happiness of this lady. Facing the difficult situation like this is not easy. I believe that without love, the lady will leave this husband. With love, smile and easy thing come out.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us to keep the love. Love here means to let Him enter into our life. This is our love for Him. Like children that let many things enter in his brain so that they can learn many new things. Love is very nice. Saint Paul in the first reading also stresses on this aspect. If we choose between faith, hope and love, Paul invites us to choose love because love remains always.

With love, we can let Jesus enter in our daily life. So, let us keep our loving for Him and for the others.

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DOING LIKE JESUS

Gordy Afri Tuesday, September 18, 2018

September 18, 2018

DOING LIKE JESUS

Luke 7: 11-17

One day, I and my friends visited one lady in a slum area of Bangkok. She is a special lady because of his heroic service. She called my friend when she saw one child without parents. My friend talked to her that he cannot make anything because he is a foreigner. Then, the lady published on Facebook the picture of the child and ask who knows the parents. In some days, his mother came and took him.

What this lady did is like Jesus did, giving hope to the others. Jesus gave hope to the Nain widow. She lost all things: husband and son. In their culture, son is the last hope of the family. This widow is very suffered and Jesus gives him a joy experience. His son is lived. The same thing that the lady of Bangkok gave hope to the child.

Our mission is like Jesus’ mission, giving hope to the others. Giving life for the dead, giving joy for the sad, and other things. When I give hope to my friend, my family, my co-workers?

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SALVATION FOR ALL

Gordy Afri Monday, September 17, 2018

September 17, 2018

SALVATION FOR ALL

Luke 7: 1-10

I just arrived three days ago in Bangkok, Thailand. In these days, I join the confreres in serving the others: visit the sick people, talk with the students and teachers, help the poor people in the slum, etc. What makes me admire is about the people that we serve. The majority of them are Buddhist. In the Catholic school, there are 80% of the Buddhist Students. In the slum area, the majority of people are Buddhist. I can say that we are serving the others: religion, culture, and way of life.

I think that serving the others is the main theme of today’s Gospel. Jesus in the healing event serves the member of Roman emperor, Centurion. Jesus comes from the Jews people. In that time, many people claimed that, the salvation only for the Jews. But, Jesus comes and brings the salvation for all, not only for the Jews. Here, in Thailand, we bring the salvation for all, not only for the Christian but also for non-christian.

Do we serve the others people; religion, culture, tradition, etc in our daily life? Do we welcome them?

Let us learn from our Lord Jesus Christ who serve the others people.

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CHOSEN BY JESUS

Gordy Afri Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Sept 11, 2018

CHOSEN BY JESUS

Luke 6: 12-19

Our professor of Eastern Philosophy in Driyarkara School of Philosophy, in Jakarta, told us about his study. He said that when he was getting his Master in Philosophy, he didn’t use the book. We were surprised. What happened? He then said that because he just followed his master. In India, he continued, the student learns by following his teacher especially in philosophy of India. Most of the activities of the master are meditating and no explaining or giving the discourse.

Today, in the Gospel, we listen to Jesus who chooses his disciples. He first went to the mountain to pray and then he chose his disciples. After choosing them, he keeps them in prayer and then he sent them. It means that the prayer is the centre of their life.

Here, Jesus invites them just to follow Him. Until now, as we follow the daily gospel, Jesus attracts many people. They come to Him for asking healing and listening to his discourse. At this moment, Jesus needs the help of the other. That’s why he chooses the disciples. Their activity is just to follow Him. Follow him include in prayer as Jesus shows them.

The disciples are chosen by Jesus. Jesus who takes the first initiative. We can not say that Jesus knows them very well before choosing them. In fact, Jesus chooses and forms them. Jesus doesn't choose the holy man. They have a different kind of weakness and sin. Jesus in many occasions said that He comes to call sinners. The holiness or perfectness is not criteria to become the disciples. Jesus himself who makes us holy. He chooses them because He loves them.

Jesus loves all of us so that He calls all of us to become his disciples. Our main work is following Him. He prays and we must pray. He visits the sick people and we must visit the sick people.

So, do you want to follow Him?

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