DARE TO STAND FOR THE TRUTH

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON THE WORD OF GOD: DARE TO STAND FOR THE TRUTH

Saturday, 29 August 2026
Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist

Readings: Jeremiah 1:17–19 • Psalm 71:1–2, 3–4a, 5–6ab, 15ab, 17 • Mark 6:17–29

Today’s Word of God speaks powerfully about courage, truth, and faithfulness. Being a person of faith does not mean that life will always be easy and free from challenges. There are times when our faith calls us to stand firm, speak the truth, and hold on to our principles even when there is a price to pay.

In the first reading, God calls the Prophet Jeremiah to carry out a difficult mission. He must proclaim God’s Word to people who may not want to hear it. God tells him, “But do you gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you.”

Jeremiah is not promised that everyone will accept his message. On the contrary, God tells him that he will face opposition. Yet God gives him one assurance that becomes the source of his strength: “They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you.”

This is the strength of someone who lives in God. Courage does not mean the absence of fear. Courage means continuing to do what is right even when we know there may be consequences. We are courageous not because we consider ourselves strong, but because we trust that God is with us.

This message becomes very real in the life of John the Baptist in today’s Gospel.

John knew that Herod had done wrong by taking Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. John could have chosen to remain silent. He could have protected himself and avoided trouble. Instead, he chose to speak the truth to Herod: “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Those words eventually led John to prison and then to death. Yet John would not compromise the truth simply to save himself.

Here we see the integrity of a true servant of God.

Truth remains truth even when people do not like it. What is wrong does not become right simply because it is done by someone powerful.

Herod, on the other hand, represents someone who actually knows the truth but lacks the courage to follow it. He knew that John was a righteous and holy man. He even liked listening to him. Yet when the moment came to make a decision, Herod was more afraid of losing face before his guests than of doing what was right.

From Herod we learn that knowing the truth is not enough. Truth must be expressed through our decisions and actions.

The same is true in our daily lives. We may not face a king as John the Baptist did, but we continually face choices: to be honest or to lie, to maintain our integrity or take shortcuts, to speak the truth or remain silent for the sake of comfort, to follow God’s will or simply follow what everyone else is doing.

Sometimes doing what is right has a price.

Honesty may cause us to lose an advantage. Holding on to our principles may make us unpopular. Refusing to participate in something wrong may cause us to lose an opportunity. But any benefit gained by sacrificing truth and integrity will never bring genuine peace.

Therefore, we need to ask ourselves: Do I still choose what is right when no one is watching? Do I remain honest when dishonesty could benefit me? Do I hold on to my principles when people around me pressure me to compromise?

However, standing for the truth does not mean becoming harsh, self-righteous, or quick to judge others. Truth must always walk together with love. We are called to be firm in our principles but humble in our attitude; courageous in speaking the truth but always doing so with love and wisdom.

In our families, workplaces, businesses, ministries, and communities, we need people who can be trusted: people whose words can be relied upon, who remain honest even when they have an opportunity to compromise, and who do not change their principles simply because circumstances change.

That is integrity.

Today God speaks to us as He spoke to Jeremiah: Stand up, do not be afraid, and do what is right. We may encounter challenges, rejection, or discomfort. But we do not walk alone. God is with those who walk in truth.

John the Baptist lost his earthly life, but he did not lose his faithfulness to God. He teaches us that true success in life is not merely about how high we rise, how much we possess, or how much recognition we receive from others. True success is reaching the end of our journey while remaining faithful to God, holding firmly to the truth, and preserving our integrity.

So today, let us make one decision: whatever the situation, always choose what is right. When we must choose between personal gain and integrity, choose integrity. When we must choose between popularity and truth, choose truth. When we must choose between following the crowd and following God’s will, choose God.

For God has promised us: “I am with you.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me the courage always to stand for the truth. Teach me to remain honest when I have an opportunity to compromise, to hold firmly to my principles when I face pressure, and to remain faithful to You when the right path becomes difficult. Keep me from seeking personal gain at the expense of truth and integrity. Give me wisdom to speak the truth with love, firmness with humility, and courage without judging others. When I am afraid of the consequences of doing what is right, remind me of Your promise: You are with me. May my words, decisions, work, and entire life bring ever greater glory to Your name. Amen.

Pontianak, 29 August 2026
Dr. Manuntun Sitinjak

BERANI BERDIRI DI PIHAK KEBENARAN

RENUNGAN FIRMAN TUHAN HARI INI: BERANI BERDIRI DI PIHAK KEBENARAN

Sabtu, 29 Agustus 2026
PW Wafatnya Santo Yohanes Pembaptis

Bacaan: Yeremia 1:17–19 • Mazmur 71:1–2, 3–4a, 5–6ab, 15ab, 17 • Markus 6:17–29

Firman Tuhan hari ini berbicara sangat kuat tentang keberanian, kebenaran, dan kesetiaan. Menjadi orang beriman bukan berarti hidup kita selalu mudah dan tanpa tantangan. Ada saatnya iman justru menuntut kita untuk berdiri teguh, mengatakan yang benar, dan mempertahankan prinsip sekalipun ada risiko yang harus kita hadapi.

Dalam bacaan pertama, Tuhan memanggil Nabi Yeremia untuk menjalankan tugas yang tidak mudah. Ia harus menyampaikan firman Tuhan kepada bangsa yang belum tentu mau mendengarkannya. Tuhan berkata kepadanya, “Tetapi engkau ini, baiklah engkau bersiap! Bangkitlah dan sampaikanlah kepada mereka segala yang Kuperintahkan kepadamu.”

Yeremia tidak dijanjikan bahwa semua orang akan menerima perkataannya. Sebaliknya, Tuhan mengatakan bahwa ia akan menghadapi perlawanan. Namun Tuhan memberikan satu jaminan yang menjadi sumber kekuatannya: “Mereka akan memerangi engkau, tetapi tidak akan mengalahkan engkau, sebab Aku menyertai engkau.”

Inilah kekuatan seorang yang hidup dalam Tuhan. Keberanian bukan berarti tidak memiliki rasa takut. Keberanian adalah tetap melakukan yang benar meskipun kita mengetahui ada risiko yang harus dihadapi. Kita berani bukan karena merasa diri kuat, tetapi karena percaya bahwa Tuhan menyertai kita.

Pesan ini menjadi nyata dalam kehidupan Yohanes Pembaptis dalam Injil hari ini.

Yohanes mengetahui bahwa Herodes melakukan sesuatu yang tidak benar dengan mengambil Herodias, istri Filipus, saudaranya sendiri. Yohanes dapat saja memilih diam. Ia dapat mencari keamanan bagi dirinya sendiri. Namun ia memilih mengatakan kebenaran kepada Herodes: “Tidak halal engkau mengambil istri saudaramu!”

Perkataan itu akhirnya membawa Yohanes ke dalam penjara dan kemudian kepada kematian. Tetapi Yohanes tidak mengubah kebenaran hanya demi menyelamatkan dirinya.

Di sinilah kita melihat integritas seorang hamba Tuhan.

Kebenaran tetaplah kebenaran sekalipun tidak disukai. Kesalahan tetaplah kesalahan sekalipun dilakukan oleh orang yang berkuasa.

Sebaliknya, Herodes menggambarkan seseorang yang sebenarnya mengetahui kebenaran tetapi tidak mempunyai keberanian untuk mengikutinya. Ia mengetahui bahwa Yohanes adalah orang yang benar dan suci. Ia bahkan senang mendengarkan Yohanes. Tetapi ketika harus mengambil keputusan, Herodes lebih takut kehilangan muka di hadapan para tamunya daripada melakukan apa yang benar.

Dari Herodes kita belajar bahwa mengetahui kebenaran saja tidak cukup. Kebenaran harus diwujudkan dalam keputusan dan tindakan.

Hal yang sama terjadi dalam kehidupan kita sehari-hari. Mungkin kita tidak menghadapi seorang raja seperti Yohanes Pembaptis, tetapi kita terus diperhadapkan pada berbagai pilihan: jujur atau berbohong, mempertahankan integritas atau mengambil jalan pintas, mengatakan yang benar atau diam demi kenyamanan, mengikuti kehendak Tuhan atau sekadar mengikuti apa yang dilakukan banyak orang.

Terkadang melakukan yang benar memang mempunyai harga.

Kejujuran mungkin membuat kita kehilangan keuntungan. Memegang prinsip mungkin membuat kita tidak disukai. Menolak sesuatu yang salah mungkin membuat kita kehilangan kesempatan. Tetapi keuntungan yang diperoleh dengan mengorbankan kebenaran dan integritas tidak akan pernah memberikan kedamaian sejati.

Karena itu kita perlu bertanya kepada diri sendiri: Apakah saya tetap berani melakukan yang benar ketika tidak ada orang yang melihat? Apakah saya tetap jujur ketika ketidakjujuran memberikan keuntungan? Apakah saya tetap memegang prinsip ketika lingkungan mengajak saya berkompromi?

Namun berdiri di pihak kebenaran bukan berarti kita boleh menjadi kasar, merasa paling benar, atau mudah menghakimi orang lain. Kebenaran harus berjalan bersama kasih. Kita dipanggil untuk tegas dalam prinsip, tetapi tetap rendah hati dalam sikap; berani mengatakan kebenaran, tetapi tetap melakukannya dengan kasih dan kebijaksanaan.

Dalam keluarga, pekerjaan, usaha, pelayanan, dan kehidupan bermasyarakat, kita membutuhkan orang-orang yang dapat dipercaya: orang yang perkataannya dapat dipegang, yang tetap jujur sekalipun ada kesempatan untuk menyimpang, dan yang tidak mengubah prinsip hanya karena situasi berubah.

Itulah integritas.

Hari ini Tuhan berkata kepada kita seperti kepada Yeremia: bangkitlah, jangan takut, dan lakukanlah apa yang benar. Kita mungkin menghadapi tantangan, penolakan, atau ketidaknyamanan. Tetapi kita tidak berjalan sendirian. Tuhan menyertai orang yang berjalan dalam kebenaran.

Yohanes Pembaptis kehilangan hidupnya di dunia, tetapi ia tidak kehilangan kesetiaannya kepada Tuhan. Ia menunjukkan kepada kita bahwa keberhasilan hidup yang sesungguhnya bukan hanya tentang seberapa tinggi kedudukan kita, seberapa banyak yang kita miliki, atau seberapa besar penghargaan manusia kepada kita. Keberhasilan sejati adalah ketika sampai akhir kita tetap setia kepada Tuhan, menjaga kebenaran, dan mempertahankan integritas.

Maka hari ini mari kita membuat satu keputusan: apa pun situasinya, tetaplah memilih yang benar. Ketika harus memilih antara keuntungan dan integritas, pilihlah integritas. Ketika harus memilih antara popularitas dan kebenaran, pilihlah kebenaran. Ketika harus memilih antara mengikuti arus atau mengikuti kehendak Tuhan, pilihlah Tuhan.

Sebab Tuhan telah berjanji: “Aku menyertai engkau.”

Doa: Tuhan Yesus, berilah aku keberanian untuk selalu berdiri di pihak kebenaran. Ajarlah aku untuk tetap jujur ketika ada kesempatan untuk menyimpang, tetap memegang prinsip ketika menghadapi tekanan, dan tetap setia kepada-Mu ketika jalan yang benar terasa sulit. Jauhkanlah aku dari keinginan mencari keuntungan dengan mengorbankan kebenaran dan integritas. Berilah aku kebijaksanaan agar mampu menyampaikan kebenaran dengan kasih, ketegasan dengan kerendahan hati, dan keberanian tanpa menghakimi orang lain. Ketika aku takut menghadapi konsekuensi karena melakukan yang benar, ingatkanlah aku akan janji-Mu: Engkau menyertaiku. Semoga melalui perkataan, keputusan, pekerjaan, dan seluruh hidupku, nama-Mu semakin dimuliakan. Amin.

Dr. Manuntun Sitinjak

COME TO GOD WITH THE HEART OF A CHILD

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON THE WORD OF GOD: COME TO GOD WITH THE HEART OF A CHILD

Saturday, 15 August 2026

Readings: Ezekiel 18:1–10, 13b, 30–32 • Psalm 51:12–13, 14–15, 18–19 • Matthew 19:13–15

In today’s first reading, God gives us a very clear message through the Prophet Ezekiel: each person is responsible for his or her own life and choices. God calls us to turn away from sin, return to Him, and renew our hearts and our lives. God does not desire our destruction. Rather, He desires that we repent and live. Therefore, His Word calls us to turn away from our sins so that they will no longer become a stumbling block in our lives.

Repentance is not merely feeling sorry for the mistakes of the past. Repentance means having the courage to change the direction of our lives. We leave behind what is not pleasing to God and choose His way once again. We ask Him to renew our hearts, as the psalmist prays today: “Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Today’s Gospel presents a very simple yet profound scene. People bring children to Jesus so that He may lay His hands on them and pray for them. The disciples try to prevent them, but Jesus says, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Why does Jesus welcome the children so warmly? It is not because children are always perfect, but because they possess something that we often gradually lose as we grow older: simplicity of heart, sincerity, trust, and dependence.

A child comes to his or her parents with trust. A child does not need to know all the answers first. There is confidence in being loved, protected, and cared for. This is also how our relationship with God should be.

Yet as we journey through life, our hearts often become more complicated. Experiences, disappointments, achievements, ambitions, worries, and even wounds from the past can make us depend too much on ourselves. We want to understand everything before we believe. We want to see the results before we take the first step. We pray, but deep inside we may still want God to follow our plans.

Today Jesus invites us to rediscover the faith of a child.

Come to God just as you are. Entrust to Him whatever you are struggling with. When the road ahead is unclear, continue to trust. When prayers seem unanswered, do not stop hoping. When you experience failure, do not distance yourself from God. And when you are blessed with success, remain humble and remember that everything we have comes from His love and grace.

There are several attitudes of heart that we can nurture today.

First, a simple heart. Do not make our relationship with God unnecessarily complicated. Pray honestly, listen to His Word, and then do what we know is right.

Second, a trusting heart. We may not know what tomorrow will bring, but we know the God who holds tomorrow in His hands.

Third, a heart willing to be formed. Like a child who continues to learn, we should never think that we already know everything. Allow God to correct us, teach us, and renew our lives.

Fourth, a heart that quickly returns to God. When we fall into sin or make mistakes, let us not remain trapped in guilt. Repent, rise again, and return to Him.

Fifth, a heart that depends on God. We must continue to work hard, make plans, and give our best. But ultimately, we recognize that our strength, opportunities, health, life, and success are all gifts from God.

Perhaps today we are carrying many things in our hearts: our families, work, business, ministry, dreams, struggles, or an uncertain future. Jesus speaks to us as He welcomed the children: Come to Me.

Do not let busyness prevent us from coming to God. Do not let pride make us feel that we do not need Him. And do not let our failures and sins make us afraid to approach Him.

Let us come with the heart of a child: simple in faith, sincere in love, humble in success, and full of trust in every circumstance.

The more we surrender our lives to God, the more we discover that our greatest strength is not found in being able to control everything, but in being able to say with faith:

“Lord, I trust in You. Shape my heart, guide my steps, and let Your will be done in my life.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, create in me a clean and renewed heart. Forgive all my sins and weaknesses, and teach me always to return to You. Give me the heart of a child: simple, sincere, humble, and full of trust in You. When I do not understand the path of my life, strengthen my faith. When I succeed, keep me humble. When I fall, give me the courage to repent and rise again. I entrust my family, work, ministry, dreams, and entire future into Your hands. Guide every step I take so that my life may become increasingly pleasing to You and a blessing to others. Amen.

Pontianak, 15 August 2026
Dr. Manuntun Sitinjak

DATANG KEPADA TUHAN DENGAN HATI SEORANG ANAK

RENUNGAN FIRMAN TUHAN HARI INI: DATANG KEPADA TUHAN DENGAN HATI SEORANG ANAK

Sabtu, 15 Agustus 2026

Bacaan: Yehezkiel 18:1–10, 13b, 30–32 • Mazmur 51:12–13, 14–15, 18–19 • Matius 19:13–15

Dalam bacaan pertama hari ini, Tuhan menyampaikan pesan yang sangat jelas melalui Nabi Yehezkiel: setiap orang bertanggung jawab atas hidup dan pilihannya sendiri. Tuhan memanggil kita untuk meninggalkan dosa, berbalik kepada-Nya, dan memperbarui hati serta hidup kita. Tuhan tidak menghendaki kebinasaan manusia. Sebaliknya, Ia menghendaki kita bertobat dan hidup. Karena itu firman-Nya berkata, “Bertobatlah dan berpalinglah dari segala durhakamu, supaya itu jangan bagimu menjadi batu sandungan yang menjatuhkan kamu ke dalam kesalahan.”

Pertobatan bukan hanya menyesali kesalahan masa lalu. Pertobatan berarti berani mengubah arah hidup. Kita meninggalkan apa yang tidak berkenan kepada Tuhan dan memilih kembali jalan-Nya. Kita memohon agar Tuhan memperbarui hati kita, seperti doa pemazmur hari ini: “Ciptakanlah hati yang murni dalam diriku, ya Allah, dan perbaruilah semangat yang teguh dalam batinku.”

Injil hari ini kemudian memperlihatkan gambaran yang sangat sederhana tetapi mendalam. Orang-orang membawa anak-anak kepada Yesus supaya Ia meletakkan tangan-Nya atas mereka dan mendoakan mereka. Para murid mencoba menghalangi, tetapi Yesus berkata, “Biarkanlah anak-anak itu, janganlah menghalang-halangi mereka datang kepada-Ku; sebab orang-orang yang seperti itulah yang empunya Kerajaan Surga.”

Mengapa Yesus begitu menerima anak-anak? Bukan karena anak-anak selalu sempurna, tetapi karena mereka memiliki sesuatu yang sering perlahan-lahan hilang ketika kita menjadi dewasa: kesederhanaan hati, ketulusan, kepercayaan, dan ketergantungan.

Seorang anak datang kepada orang tuanya dengan percaya. Ia tidak harus mengetahui semua jawaban terlebih dahulu. Ia percaya bahwa dirinya dikasihi, dijaga, dan diperhatikan. Demikian juga seharusnya hubungan kita dengan Tuhan.

Namun dalam perjalanan hidup, hati kita sering menjadi semakin rumit. Pengalaman, kekecewaan, keberhasilan, ambisi, kekhawatiran, bahkan luka masa lalu dapat membuat kita terlalu mengandalkan diri sendiri. Kita ingin memahami semuanya sebelum percaya. Kita ingin melihat hasil terlebih dahulu sebelum melangkah. Kita berdoa, tetapi dalam hati masih ingin Tuhan mengikuti rencana kita.

Hari ini Yesus mengundang kita kembali kepada iman seorang anak.

Datanglah kepada Tuhan apa adanya. Percayakanlah kepada-Nya apa yang sedang kita perjuangkan. Ketika jalan di depan belum jelas, tetaplah percaya. Ketika doa belum terjawab, jangan berhenti berharap. Ketika mengalami kegagalan, jangan menjauh dari Tuhan. Dan ketika diberkati dengan keberhasilan, tetaplah rendah hati dan sadar bahwa semua yang kita miliki berasal dari kasih dan kemurahan-Nya.

Ada beberapa sikap hati yang dapat kita pelihara hari ini:

Pertama, hati yang sederhana. Jangan membuat hubungan dengan Tuhan menjadi rumit. Berdoalah dengan jujur, dengarkan firman-Nya, lalu lakukan apa yang kita tahu benar.

Kedua, hati yang percaya. Kita mungkin tidak mengetahui apa yang akan terjadi besok, tetapi kita mengenal Tuhan yang memegang hari esok.

Ketiga, hati yang mau dibentuk. Seperti seorang anak yang terus belajar, jangan pernah merasa sudah mengetahui semuanya. Biarkan Tuhan menegur, mengajar, dan memperbarui hidup kita.

Keempat, hati yang cepat kembali kepada Tuhan. Ketika jatuh dalam kesalahan, jangan tinggal dalam dosa dan rasa bersalah. Bertobatlah, bangkitlah, dan datanglah kembali kepada-Nya.

Kelima, hati yang bergantung kepada Tuhan. Kita tetap harus bekerja keras, merencanakan, dan melakukan yang terbaik. Tetapi pada akhirnya kita sadar bahwa kekuatan, kesempatan, kesehatan, kehidupan, dan keberhasilan semuanya adalah anugerah Tuhan.

Mungkin hari ini kita sedang membawa banyak hal dalam hati: keluarga, pekerjaan, usaha, pelayanan, impian, pergumulan, atau masa depan yang belum pasti. Yesus berkata kepada kita seperti Ia menerima anak-anak itu: datanglah kepada-Ku.

Jangan biarkan kesibukan menghalangi kita datang kepada Tuhan. Jangan biarkan kesombongan membuat kita merasa tidak membutuhkan-Nya. Jangan pula membiarkan kegagalan dan dosa membuat kita takut mendekat kepada-Nya.

Mari datang dengan hati seorang anak: sederhana dalam iman, tulus dalam kasih, rendah hati dalam keberhasilan, dan penuh kepercayaan dalam setiap keadaan.

Sebab semakin kita menyerahkan hidup kepada Tuhan, semakin kita menemukan bahwa kekuatan terbesar bukanlah ketika kita mampu mengendalikan segala sesuatu, tetapi ketika kita mampu berkata dengan penuh iman:

“Tuhan, aku percaya kepada-Mu. Bentuklah hatiku, tuntunlah langkahku, dan jadilah kehendak-Mu dalam hidupku.”

Doa: Tuhan Yesus, ciptakanlah hati yang murni dan baru dalam diriku. Ampunilah segala kesalahan dan kelemahanku, dan ajarlah aku untuk selalu kembali kepada-Mu. Berilah aku hati seperti seorang anak: sederhana, tulus, rendah hati, dan penuh kepercayaan kepada-Mu. Ketika aku tidak memahami jalan hidupku, teguhkanlah imanku. Ketika aku berhasil, jagalah aku tetap rendah hati. Ketika aku jatuh, berilah aku keberanian untuk bertobat dan bangkit kembali. Aku menyerahkan keluarga, pekerjaan, pelayanan, impian, dan seluruh masa depanku ke dalam tangan-Mu. Tuntunlah setiap langkahku agar hidupku semakin berkenan kepada-Mu dan menjadi berkat bagi sesama. Amin.

Pontianak 15 Agustus 2026

Dr. Manuntun Sitinjak

LISTEN TO HIM

DAILY GOSPEL REFLECTION: Listen to Him

Thursday, August 6, 2026
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Readings: Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14 • Psalm 97:1–2, 5–6, 9 • 2 Peter 1:16–19 • Matthew 17:1–9

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. On the mountain, Jesus revealed His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. His face shone like the sun, His clothes became dazzling white, and Moses and Elijah appeared speaking with Him. Then a voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"

This extraordinary event took place before Jesus began His journey to the Cross. The Father allowed the disciples to witness Christ's glory so that their faith would remain strong when they later saw His suffering. The glory on the mountain assured them that the Cross was not the end, but the path to resurrection and eternal victory.

Our lives also have their mountains and valleys. There are moments of joy, success, and peace, but there are also seasons of hardship, disappointment, and sorrow. During those difficult times, we are reminded that God never abandons His children. Even when the road is steep and uncertain, His presence remains with us.

The Father's message is simple yet life-changing: "Listen to Him." In a world filled with countless voices, opinions, distractions, and fears, we are called to listen above all to the voice of Christ through His Word. When we follow Him faithfully, His light guides our decisions, strengthens our hearts, and fills us with hope.

The Transfiguration is not merely a revelation of Christ's glory—it is also an invitation for us to be transformed. The closer we walk with Jesus, the more our lives should reflect His love, humility, forgiveness, and compassion. Others should be able to see His light shining through us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, shine the light of Your glory upon my life. Teach me to listen to Your voice above every other voice and to remain faithful to You in both joyful and difficult times. Transform my heart so that I may reflect Your love and become a light to those around me. Amen.

When we listen to Christ and walk faithfully with Him, His glory shines through our lives.

Dr. Manuntun Sitinjak

Dengarkan Dia

RENUNGAN FIRMAN TUHAN HARI INI: Dengarkan Dia

Kamis, 6 Agustus 2026
Pesta Yesus Menampakkan Kemuliaan-Nya (Transfigurasi Tuhan)

Bacaan: Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14 • Mazmur 97:1–2, 5–6, 9 • 2 Petrus 1:16–19 • Matius 17:1–9

Hari ini Gereja merayakan Pesta Transfigurasi Tuhan, ketika Yesus menampakkan kemuliaan-Nya di atas gunung kepada Petrus, Yakobus, dan Yohanes. Wajah-Nya bercahaya seperti matahari, pakaian-Nya menjadi putih berkilau, dan Musa serta Elia tampak berbicara dengan-Nya. Dari dalam awan terdengar suara Bapa, "Inilah Anak-Ku yang terkasih, kepada-Nyalah Aku berkenan. Dengarkanlah Dia!"

Peristiwa ini terjadi sebelum Yesus memasuki jalan salib. Tuhan ingin menguatkan iman para murid agar mereka tetap percaya ketika nanti menyaksikan penderitaan-Nya. Kemuliaan di gunung menjadi jaminan bahwa salib bukanlah akhir, melainkan jalan menuju kebangkitan.

Dalam hidup, kita juga mengalami "gunung" dan "lembah". Ada saat-saat penuh sukacita, tetapi ada pula masa-masa penuh pergumulan, kegagalan, dan air mata. Pada saat seperti itulah kita perlu mengingat bahwa Tuhan tetap menyertai kita. Ia tidak pernah meninggalkan anak-anak-Nya, bahkan ketika jalan yang harus dilalui terasa berat.

Pesan utama hari ini sangat sederhana namun mendalam: "Dengarkanlah Dia." Di tengah begitu banyak suara dunia yang menawarkan jalan pintas, ketakutan, dan kebingungan, kita dipanggil untuk mendengarkan suara Kristus melalui Sabda-Nya. Ketika kita mengikuti-Nya dengan setia, terang kemuliaan-Nya akan menuntun setiap langkah hidup kita.

Kemuliaan Kristus bukan hanya untuk dikagumi, tetapi untuk mengubah hidup kita. Semakin dekat kepada-Nya, semakin kita dipanggil memancarkan kasih, pengampunan, kerendahan hati, dan pengharapan kepada orang-orang di sekitar kita.

Doa

Tuhan Yesus, terangilah hidupku dengan cahaya kemuliaan-Mu. Ajarlah aku untuk selalu mendengarkan Sabda-Mu dan tetap setia mengikuti-Mu, baik dalam sukacita maupun penderitaan. Ubahlah hidupku agar semakin menyerupai Engkau dan menjadi terang bagi sesamaku. Amin.

Ketika kita mendengarkan Kristus dan berjalan bersama-Nya, kemuliaan-Nya akan terpancar melalui hidup kita.

Dr. Manuntun Sitinjak

Great Faith Never Gives Up

DAILY GOSPEL REFLECTION: Great Faith Never Gives Up

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Readings: Jeremiah 31:1–7 • Responsorial Psalm: Jeremiah 31:10–13 • Matthew 15:21–28

In today's first reading, God speaks words of hope to His people. Although Israel had experienced exile and suffering, the Lord never abandoned them. He declares, "I have loved you with an everlasting love." God's love does not depend on our perfection but on His unfailing faithfulness. He is always ready to restore those who return to Him with sincere hearts.

In the Gospel, we meet the Canaanite woman who begged Jesus to heal her daughter. She was not an Israelite, yet she approached Jesus with extraordinary faith. At first, Jesus seemed silent and even appeared to reject her request. But she refused to give up. With humility, she replied that even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table. Her unwavering faith moved Jesus to say, "Woman, you have great faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." At that very moment, her daughter was healed.

There are times when our prayers seem unanswered. We may wonder whether God is listening or whether He has forgotten us. Yet God's silence is never His absence. Often, He is strengthening our faith, teaching us to trust Him beyond our circumstances.

The Canaanite woman reminds us that genuine faith is persistent, humble, and confident in God's mercy. Faith does not quit because of delays or difficulties. It continues to believe that God's timing and His plans are always perfect.

When we keep trusting the Lord, even in moments of uncertainty, we open our hearts to witness His power and His amazing grace at work in our lives.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, grant me the faith of the Canaanite woman. Teach me to trust You even when my prayers seem unanswered. Help me remain humble, persistent, and confident in Your endless mercy. Strengthen my heart to follow Your will every day. Amen.

God never ignores a heart that continues to trust in Him.

Dr. Manuntun Sitinjak