Merry Chistmas 2025

A Christmas three in The Katedral Jakarta

Romo Mahar on last Thursday, when he taught us about the consciousness meditation in the Katedral Jakarta, introducing "meditasi berkat" (the blessing meditation) to improve our relationship with people. Either this meditation is for our beloved people or someone who gave us hurt. The way is so simple, when your breath is in, you call someone's name that you want to give a blessing. And, when your breath is out, you mention the praying, like "peace". Just call one name and one doa. 

I then remember a man who ever gave me a hurt, and sometimes it still hurts me with his words when I was in Junior High School. But, I was forgetting his name in that meditation procession. After the meditation procession, I asked Romo Mahar, "What if I forget the man that I want to give a blessing?" Then Romo Mahar answered, something like, "Just focus on that energy, the universe will know." I nodded.

And in this Christmas moment, as Romo's advice about a blessing meditation, I want to forgive myself for all of the mistakes that I have made. So do the same. I forgive people who have hurt me, too. Okay, make it simple. 

Jesus, when he got hungry, sick, and homeless

Next, in this Christmas moment too, I want to give one reflection about Matthew 25:31-46. So at that verse, Jesus says, "What did you do when I was sick, homeless, hungry and thirsty, naked, and in prison..." We have many reflections, except for the difference between the sheep and the goats, who follow Jesus or who don't, we can draw a message for humanity, not just a transcendental meaning. 

From this verse, a question intrigued me: "When you see suffering, do you see a person or a nuisance?" So, Jesus is asking his followers, if I were hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, and in prison, what would you do? Well, those are all sufferings, and from there, we can draw a horizontal line. When humans see the suffering of others, do they see the human side (empathy, compassion, etc.) or do they see it as a nuisance, as most perspectives do, and that should be avoided.

In Rodriguez's song, the title is "Cause" from his album "Coming from Reality" (1971), he sings:

"Cause I lost my job two weeks before Christmas
And I talked to Jesus at the sewer
And the Pope said it was none of his God-damned business
While the rain drank champagne..."

A dark lyric about the working class in their pre-Christmas moment. I sometimes shudder just thinking about it, because I was in a similar situation, completely broke during the Eid al-Fitr holiday. And Rodriguez is so honest about it, even addressing Jesus and the Pope directly. He also mocks the highest authority of the clergy, saying such matters are none of his business and none of God's, while enjoying a shower of champagne.

Yesterday, I got a work in GPIB Jakarta

A cute Natal stuff in Plaza Senayan

Last, I have a lot of good Christian pals, teachers, and idols. So in 2025, I want to say Merry Christmas to Romo Benny Hari Juliawan, Romo Macarius Maharsono Probho, Mas Geger Riyanto, Mas Adi and Mbak Lita, Mbak Sri Siburian, Mbak Cecil Mariani, Mas Hizkia Yosie, Mas Panca, Fandry, Rony Parulian and Donnie Sibarani. God bless you all.

Jakarta, 25 December 2025