Minggu, 12 Aug 2018
HR SP Maria Diangkat Ke Surga

Bacaan 1 : Why 11:19a;12:1-6a.10ab
Mazmur : Mzm 45:10c-12.16
Bacaan 2 : 1Kor 15:20-26
Injil : Luk 1:39-56

"Jiwaku memuliakan Tuhan, dan hatiku bergembira karena Allah, Juruselamatku" (Luk 1,46-17)

Hari ini kita merayakan Bunda Maria Diangkat ke Sorga sekaligus menyongsong peringatan Kemerdekaan negara kita yang ke-74. Untuk itu marilah kita memaknai kemerdekaan kita dengan belajar dari Bunda Maria. Maria adalah seorang warga masyarakat biasa yang tentunya melibatkan diri dalam kehidupan bermasyarakat. Ia merasa prihatin dengan penderitaan dan penindasan yang dialami bangsanya serta ikut berjuang untuk mendapatkan kebebasan. Kidung Magnifikat yang diucapkannya adalah sebuah seruan syukur atas karya Allah yang "telah melakukan perbuatan-perbuatan besar ... memperlihatkan kuasa-Nya ... melimpahkan segala yang baik ... [dan] menolong Israel, hamba-Nya (Luk 1,49.51.53.54). Lebih dari itu, dengan bebas merdeka ia menerima panggilan dan tugas perutusan untuk menjadi Ibu yang Juru Selamat. Dengan jawaban "Sesungguhnya aku ini hamba Tuhan, jadilah padaku menurut perkataan-Mu itu" (Luk 1,38), Maria mengambil bagian dalam karya Allah untuk memberikan kemerdekaan yang sejati, yakni pembebasan umat manusia dari kuasa dosa. Maria ikut berjuang demi lahir dan hadirnya Sang Juruselamat di tengah-tengah dunia. Sejak dari Nazareth, menuju ke Betlehem, lalu ke Mesir, kembali ke Nasareth, sampai akhirnya paripurna di puncak Golgota, Maria selalu setia mendampingi Yesus dalam perjuangan-Nya untuk menyelamatkan manusia. Tidak hanya berhenti di situ, Maria tetap setia mendampingi para murid dalam menghadapi masa krisis sampai akhirnya menemukan kehidupan baru sebagai komunitas "Gereja awal". Sampai sekarang, Bunda Maria yang telah mulia di surga, tentunya juga selalu setia menyertai perjuangan kita untuk terus-menerus mewujudkan kemerdekaan yang sejati.

Doa: Bunda Maria, doakanlah kami selalu agar kami dapat mengambil bagian secara konkret dalam mewujudkan kemerdekaan yang sejati demi terciptanya kedamaian dan kesejahteraan masyarakat yang adil dan merata. Amin. -agawpr-

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How strong is your hope in the promises of God? Mary is a model of faith and hope for us. And she is among "the first-fruits" of "all those who belong to Jesus" and who share in his triumph (1 Corinthians15:20-24). There is a venerable tradition dating back to the early church which marks Mary's "falling asleep" (called the Feast of Dormition in many Eastern churches) and her heavenly birthday when she was received into heaven. Her reception into heaven is seen as a sign to all believing Christians of the promise Jesus made that we too would be received into paradise. At the last supper Jesus told his disciples that he would prepare a place for them in his Father's house. "And when I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:3).
What enabled Mary to grow in faith and to persevere in hope in the face of obstacles and trials? The Gospel of Luke reveals the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in Mary's life. When Elizabeth and Mary greeted one another they were filled with the Holy Spirit and with a joyful anticipation of the fulfillment of God's promise to give a Savior. John the Baptist, even before the birth of the Messiah, pointed to his coming and leapt for joy in the womb of his mother as the Holy Spirit revealed to him the presence of the Anointed King in the womb of Mary.
The Holy Spirit is God's gift to us to enable us to know and experience the indwelling presence of God and the power of his kingdom. The Holy Spirit is the way in which God reigns within each of us. Mary accepted her mission with uncompromising faith and obedience. She acted with unwavering trust and faith because she believed that God would fulfill the word he had spoken. Her great hymn of praise echoes the song of Hannah (see 1 Samuel 2:1-10) and proclaims the favor of the Lord: God exalts the lowly and he fills the hungry.
The Holy Spirit is ever ready to renew your faith and hope in God's promises and to make you strong in love for God and your neighbor. Do you live in the joy and confidence of God's indwelling presence with you through his Holy Spirit?

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me joy in seeking you more closely. Increase my faith in all your promises, my hope in the joys of heaven, and my love for You as my All."

Salam Damai Kristus