What to be a Catholic Means

26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 27, 2015

Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48

“For whoever is not against us is for us (Mark 9:40).”

We are Catholic Church. We learn from our basic catechism that being Catholic means being universal, and our universality is expressed in many ways. Firstly, the Church is practically embracing everyone into her arms. We are young and old, women and men, poor and rich, healthy and sick, saints and sinners. In the water of baptism, all things that separate us, like language, ethnicity and nationality, are gathered together in one communion. We celebrate the Eucharist in Bahasa Indonesia, Filipino, English and any language available to us. In our parish Redemptor Mundi in Surabaya, Indonesia, we are offering the Holy Mass in English and Catholics from various continents, Asian, European, Australian, and even Africans, flock together for the holy Mass. These Catholics are far away from their home and family, and Indonesia can be very foreign in terms of culture and characters. But, their longing for home is satisfied when they rediscover the familiar worship and traditions are being offered to them in the Church. We once again listen to the same Good News and receive the same Body of Christ.

Secondly, our universality is also extended to the non-Catholics. It is true that members of other religions are not part of communion, but it does not mean that we do not reach out to them. Following the instruction of our Lord, “to preach the Gospel to all nations”, we proclaim the Gospel of peace through words and witnessing to everyone. Our service and charity know no boundaries. When Metro Manila was flooded due to torrential rain, our mother church, St. Domingo Church, was instantly converted into an evacuation center. All the brothers were working tirelessly to help the flood victims, and we never asked whether they were Catholic or not, going to the Church or not, giving donation or not! The doors of the Church is open to everyone who needed a shelter.

However, the third and the most radical expression of our Catholicity is not actually reaching our hands to strangers. Surprisingly, it is to love our enemies and these enemies often are people close to us. In fact, betrayal can only be done by friends close to us. They may be our own husband, siblings or children. They may be going to the same Church. They may be living in one community or working at the same company. Indeed, the most difficult walls to overcome are of hatred, indifference and self-centeredness. It is the great fence that separate human hearts.

When Martin Luther King Jr. was leading the civil right movement in his town Montgomery against the racial discrimination, his house was bombed and it could have killed his wife and children. The Black Americans were gathered around his house and ready to retaliate. Then, Mr. King exhorted his brothers and sisters, “We must love our white brothers, no matter what they do to us. We must make them know that we love them. Jesus still cries out in words that echo across the centuries: Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; pray for them that despitefully use you.” The violence was avoided, yet the fervor against injustice picked up its momentum.

Though himself was not a Catholic, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., shows us how to be Catholic. Being Catholic means to have courage to love in radically universal way, and to tear down any barrier that limit our capacity to love and serve. Surprisingly, to become true Catholic begins at our own home and community.

Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Arti Menjadi Katolik

Minggu Biasa ke-26

27 September 2015

Markus 9:38-43,45,47-48

“Barangsiapa tidak melawan kita, ia ada di pihak kita. (Mark 9:40).”

Kita adalah Gereja Katolik. Kita tahu dari pelajaran agama bahwa Katolik berarti universal, dan universalitas kita ini dinyatakan dalam banyak cara. Pertama, Gereja merangkul semua orang ke dalam pelukannya: muda dan tua, wanita dan pria, miskin dan kaya, sehat dan sakit, orang-orang kudus dan orang berdosa. Dalam air baptisan, segala sesuatu yang memisahkan kita seperti bahasa, etnis, kebangsaan, kemudian berkumpul bersama dalam satu persekutuan. Kita merayakan Ekaristi yang sama dalam Bahasa Indonesia, Filipina, Inggris dan bahasa yang tidak terhitung jumlahnya. Di paroki Redemptor Mundi, Surabaya, Indonesia, kita merayakan juga Misa Kudus dalam bahasa Inggris dan orang-orang Katolik dari berbagai benua seperti Asia, Eropa, Australia, dan bahkan Afrika, bersama-sama hadir untuk Misa Kudus tersebut. Mereka jauh dari rumah dan keluarga mereka, dan Indonesia bisa sangat asing dalam hal budaya dan karakter. Tapi, kerinduan mereka untuk rumah terobati ketika mereka menemukan kembali ibadah dan tradisi yang akrab di sanubari mereka. Kita sekali lagi mendengarkan Kabar Gembira yang sama dan menerima Tubuh Kristus yang sama.

Kedua, universalitas kita juga menjangkau kaum non-Katolik. Memang benar bahwa anggota agama-agama lain tidak bisa menjadi bagian dari persekutuan kita, tapi itu tidak berarti bahwa kita tidak menjangkau mereka. Mengikuti ajaran Tuhan Yesus, “Pergilah ke seluruh dunia, beritakanlah Injil kepada segala makhluk (Mrk 16:15),” kita memberitakan Injil damai melalui kata-kata dan perbuatan kepada semua orang. Pelayanan kita tidak mengenal batas. Ketika Kota Manila mengalami banjir, biara induk Dominikan di Filipina, Gereja St. Domingo, langsung diubah menjadi pusat evakuasi. Para frater bekerja tanpa lelah untuk membantu para korban banjir, dan kita tidak pernah tanya apakah mereka Katolik atau tidak, rajin pergi ke Gereja atau tidak, memberi sumbangan atau tidak! Pintu Gereja terbuka untuk semua orang yang membutuhkan tempat berlindung.

Namun, expresi ketiga dan palin radikal dari Katolisitas kita sebenarnya bukanlah sekedar menjangkau orang asing. Sesungguhnya, ini adalah mengasihi para musuh kita dan orang-orang yang kita tidak sukai ini seringkali adalah orang-orang yang dekat dengan kita. Mereka mungkin adalah suami kita sendiri, saudara-saudari kandung atau anak-anak kita. Mereka mungkin pergi ke Gereja yang sama dengan kita. Mereka mungkin hidup dalam satu komunitas atau bekerja di perusahaan yang sama dengan kita. Memang, dinding yang paling sulit untuk diatasi adalah dinding kebencian, ketidakpedulian dan keegoisan. Ini adalah pagar besar yang memisahkan hati manusia.

Ketika Pastor Martin Luther King Jr. memimpin gerakan hak sipil di kotanya Montgomery melawan diskriminasi rasial, rumahnya dibom dan hampir membunuh istri dan anak-anaknya. Orang Afro-Amerika berkumpul di sekitar rumahnya dan siap untuk melawan. Kemudian, Pastor King mendesak saudara-saudaranya, “Kita harus mengasihi saudara-saudara kita yang kulit putih, tidak peduli apa yang mereka lakukan untuk kita. Kita harus membuat mereka tahu bahwa kita mengasihi mereka. Yesus masih menyerukan kata-kata yang bergema di seluruh abad: Kasihilah musuhmu; memberkati mereka yang menganiaya kamu; berdoa untuk mereka memanfaatkanmu.” Kekerasan pun dihindari, namun semangat melawan ketidakadilan justru semakin menguat.

Meskipun dirinya bukan seorang Katolik, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., menunjukkan kepada kita bagaimana menjadi Katolik. Menjadi Katolik berarti memiliki keberanian untuk mengasihi dengan cara radikal dan universal, dan untuk meruntuhkan penghalang yang membatasi kemampuan kita untuk mengasihi dan melayani. Sungguh, untuk menjadi Katolik yang sejati dimulai di rumah dan komunitas kita sendiri.

Frater Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

Compete to Serve

25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 20, 2015

Mark 9:30-37

“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all (Mar 9:35).”

We are born to be competitors. Biology teaches us that millions of sperm cells race to reach the ovum, and only one becomes the winner. Our families often do not spare us from siblings’ rivalries as we fight to our parents’ favor and attention. Our school system trains us to compete and to become number one in various aspects: math, sport, language, music, even attendance. When we enter the professional world, the competition goes into unimaginable level. Everything is done as long as to achieve the highest position, the biggest profits, and become the most influential person in the company.

When Jesus’ disciples were quarreling among themselves regarding who is the greatest, we may suspect that it was not the first time. Just like us, they were also competitive, and perhaps ambitious. Maybe, Peter claimed that he was the true leader because he just received the keys to the Kingdom. Andrew, in his part, cited that he was the first among disciples to be called by Jesus. John surely emphasized his identity as the favorite of Jesus. Judas could even boast that he was a good bursar. The rivalry could go on and on, and could have been corrosive and deadly, had not Jesus intervened.

Jesus knew well our human nature. Our tendency to compete is not actually bad, and in fact, it has propelled us into creatures of excellence and gives us an untold progress in science and technology. We orbited the earth, we landed on the Moon, and we communicate as if there is no longer barrier of time and space. We generated the finest poetries and discussed lofty ideas. Surely, Jesus did not intend to erase our good human basic feature. Yet, still He recognized that there was something problematic in our affinity to compete.

Thus, His wisdom showed forth when He asked the disciples not to totally stop competing, but to purify their intention and replace their earthly goals with the Gospel’ values. Jesus then said, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Instead racing for the position of highest leader, why don’t we strive to serve another other? Instead pushing others out, why don’t we helping another other to grow and become mature? The goal of our competitiveness is no longer self-serving and self-centered, but it reaches out to others and empower both others and ourselves to create a better society and world. Jesus’ word resonates in St. Peter’s letter, “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. (1 Pet 4:10).”

A lot of scientists are laboring for the betterment of humanity, curing deadly diseases, and finding the safer ways to live. Many businessmen work to empower their employees. Countless teachers spend extra hour to enable their students to learn, to act and to live together, despite the reality that they are underpaid. Parents make constant sacrifices so that their children may have the best education. It is true that only one from millions of sperm cells may get inside the ovum, but it can be seen that they are not actually lone racers, but supporting each other, even sacrificing themselves, so that they achieve their common goal. We are born competitors, but we compete for our goodness, other’s empowerment and God’s glory.

Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP