When I was ordained as a priest in 2006, I celebrated my first mass at my parish. After the mass, we had a gathering. In this gathering, the president of the Parish Pastoral Council gave a speech. He was my grade 6th teacher, too. He said, “Father Petrus, this ordination is the beginning of the journey. This is not the end of your journey.”

At that fiesta, I may see ordination as at the peak of the mountain after long journey preparation. After 13 years of preparation (minor seminary, pre-noviciate, novitiate, 4 years Philosophy, 1-year pastoral year, 4 years Theology, 1-year diaconate), finally, priest ordination. It looked like the end of the journey. This way of thinking could make me see the next journey would go down and no sense of danger.  However, said earlier by my President of PPC reminds me that the ordination is the beginning. The next journey would not be easy. I have to be careful.

I recall again this after I reflected on our readings today. All of our readings talk about baptism. In our Gospel today, baptism was the beginning of His ministry, the beginning of temptation. “After Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan, the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness, tempted by Satan. (Mark 1:13) and the temptation will continue, even until Jesus was on the cross. Jesus was tempted to come down from the cross. “Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, 'So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” (Mark 15:28-30)

Temptation is a part of our life as Christian. We want to follow Jesus; we want to do the will of God; we want to do good things. However, in this life, temptation is part of our journey; sometimes we did something that against the will of God.

It is important to be aware that the day of our baptism is the beginning. If we think that baptism is the end, after baptism we don’t have something to do. Even, baptism can be the last time we enter the Church. On the other hand, if we think that the day of our baptism is the beginning, after baptism we really chose the will of God. We try to be closer to God. We actively spread the Gospel.

It is important to be aware that the day of Marriage is just the beginning. With this, the couple will be humble enough. The next journey will not be easy and a lot of temptation. They know that both are not perfect. They still need to forgive and be forgiven. The couple will listen to each other. They will begin to know each other and their love will be deeper and deeper.  

This year, 2021, I have been 15 years as a priest and missionary. It has been a long journey. Although sometimes it is not easy and a lot of temptation, it has been a happy journey. Being a priest and missionary is a beautiful gift from God. I give thanks to the Lord for this vocation and ask forgiveness of betrayals to the charism received.

Our Father….

Deliver us from evil.

Amen.