THERE IS A LIVING GOD AMONG US
The theme for our meditation today is: There is a Living God Among Us. Every day we receive news about the situation of our country and the world in general which has been hit by the Covid-19 outbreak. The state and all elements of society are trying to stop the spread of this pandemic. Meanwhile, an medicine to kill this virus has not yet been found. It seems that all of us are not really ready to face this Covid-19 attack, and all of our prayers are to invoke God not to let us suffer alone in this world. We deserve to exclaim over and over again: there is a living God among us.
God leads and accompanies our lives as citizens in our own country and as the believers. In the past, Joshua and the Israelites had expressed the same thing, namely the belief that there was a living God in the midst of His people. Moses had already died. Joshua was very young and was entrusted with all power to leading the people to the promised land. It was God who gave him strength, guidance and strong faith, so that he was able to take the duty of leadership. They truly believe that God was with them.
The presence of God really gives meaning that determines the direction of our lives. The very first meaning is that He forms us as a community of human beings, by uniting us from all differences, besides the community also respects the characteristics of differences that exist and to be regarded as richness of living in common. Israel as a nation had a solid sense of unity, and at the same time the differences of every tribe were well maintained. In any country in the world, differences among citizens are seen as gifts from God, and unity is the spirit of life and a common goal of all.
The second meaning is that God exists to give us freedom. Across the Jordan while still with Moses, the Israelites had experienced many temptations that threatened they loyalty and obedience to God. When came a new era and born a new leader, and after crossing the Jordan, they would experience a liberation. They were on their way to their destination. Jesus teaches us a method and spirituality of liberation, namely the forgiveness. That forgiveness must be total, and not preoccupied with calculation or unwillingness to forgive. After that teaching, Jesus came to cross the Jordan, and on the other side there was a new life, a new challenge, a new spirit, and a new achievement. Every nation in the world today strives for true freedom, where they can be freed from all hardships and suffering. In this time of Pandemic, our prayer and hope together is that God will help us to be protected form the threat of this deadly plague. We should always actively strive for this freedom and may God also intervene in giving us the freedom we absolutely need at this time.
Let's pray. In the name of the Father... In Your goodness and mercy, O Lord, we implore Your care for us at this moment. May we be more committed to serving You in our lives. Glory to the Father... In the name of the Father...