Archbishop Johannes Maria Trilaksyanta Pujasumarta of Semarang has asked Catholic children in Yogyakarta Vicariate to be brave, sincere and willing to make sacrifices by sharing with others.

“The multiplication of the loaves and fish by Jesus happened because of the sincerity of a little boy who gave away his five loaves and two fish,” the prelate told around 3,000 children at a special gathering of young faith formation program members in the vicariate.

“Imagine if he was stingy, the multiplication would not happen,” Archbishop Pujasumarta said in the compound of Kanisius Publishing House in Yogyakarta.

A similar multiplication miracle is also happening today, according to the archbishop.

“It is the multiplication of God’s love, but only if you want to share it with your friends sincerely,” he continued.

“You must be brave and willing to sacrifice. And your sacrifice, which like Jesus’, will not be in vain,” he asserted.

He illustrated his point by telling the children the story of Aji Saka, a legendary character from the old Medang Kamulan kingdom in Java.

“Aji Saka was a young and simple villager but had a noble and brave heart. In order to save other villagers, he sacrificed himself and was eaten by Dewata Cengkar, a cruel king who liked to consume human flesh,” he told the children.

Bringing all the children together for the gathering was designed to strengthen faith by forging friendships, Archbishop Pujasumarta explained.

“Through this event, children’s faith can grow through togetherness. By meeting other Catholic friends, their faith is unconsciously strengthened,” he said. He hoped other events such as this will be organized regularly.

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