Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday of the 22nd week in ordinary time, September 2, 2026.
The theme for our meditation today is: The Role of Intercesor. There was an elementary school boy who was asked by his teacher: "To whom do you tell your complaints and difficulties?" The boy spontaneously replied: "To my father and my mother". Then the teacher continued, "To whom do your father and your mother tell all the complaints and difficulties?" The child also spontaneously replied: "To Jesus." The teacher continued to ask: "Why don't you tell Jesus directly?" The child also enthusiastically replied: "Because I did not see Jesus directly."
The boy for sure did not see and meet Jesus directly, but he did see and meet Him in his parents. He believed that his complaints and difficulties that he revealed to his father and mother would eventually reach Jesus. Often we really need to go through other people to be able to know God, then we can come to Him. Parents teach us true faith. Some adults teach us how to pray and give thanks. Friends teach us how to read well the scriptures. The religion teacher or the catechist explains the correct liturgical celebration we need to follow.
There are intercesors whose role are to bring God's graces to us. The experience of being mediators or intercesors happened also in the apostles, especially Simon Peter who interceded for divine intervention, then his mother-in-law got recovery from her serious sickness thanks for the healing miracle of Lord. There are many other examples of the intercesor role for helping and serving people in need. Saint Paul says that to be an intercesor, as did Apollos and other disciples of Jesus, we should have one purpose only which is to know, understand, follow and do the work of Christ.
Even if the role of the intercesor is big and challenging, we can assume this duty because we have many examples to follow. A strong character and outspoken figure like Saint Paul had proved this with his own life. He says that if we want to know more and to be more fruitful in the work of the Lord, we need to follow a standard of discipline already set for us. This task is perhaps the most difficult for parents, teachers, catechists, public officials, leaders and even a friend and relative. Each can become an intercesor of God's grace for others under their responsibilities. However, when dealing with those who show reluctance to accept what is offered, the intercesors for sure will sacrifice more their patience, dedication and effort.
Not everyone like Apostle Peter's mother-in-law who could accept help or assitance with calmness and gratefulness. Not everyone also can respond to this help by giving service in turn to Jesus with generosity like Peter's mother-in-law. However, there are many people who are stubborn like Saint Paul's listeners. Perhaps many more who, after receiving kindness, do not express gratitude. There are still many who say "yes" about their faith, but they do not practice it. Jesus indeed came to the world to these people, and we are the intercesors of God's love for them.
Let's pray. In the name of the Father ... O Jesus Christ, make us true channels for Your voice and actions to our fellow brothers and sisters. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...
