Perspektif

Uncovering The Wisdom of Proverbs 2:1-22 In The Motto of The Dayak People: “Adil Ka'talino, Bacuramin Ka'saruga, Basengat Ka'jubata”

Jakarias — 2025-12-31

This article focuses on Dayak slogans that are now emerging to the surface. This research explores the relationship between cultural traditions, scripture, and moral principles that develop among Dayak people. The novelty of this research is that it offers an intertextual way of reading, namely how Catholics read sacred texts by living them in their cultural context in social life which is so closely related to the ancestral tradition of living in harmony between tribes. This study uses a qualitative approach with a literature review method. The analysis was conducted to understand how local cultural values are integrated with religious teachings in the context of daily life. The findings of the study prove that the Dayak people are able to transform the tradition of violence and shamanism into a motto of unity (Adil ka' Talino), which reflects universal goodness and justice and abandons evil things that harm fellow humans. Thus, life must be harmonious and peaceful (Ba' curamin ka' Saruga). The value of Ba'sengat ka' Jubata reflects a higher spiritual consciousness, where people are completely dependent on the God they call (Jubata), because this life breathes from His power. This motto not only serves as a cultural identity but also as a tool to build social harmony in the midst of the diversity that exists in Kalimantan.

A Study of The Sacrament Tree Program in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Mbeling, From The Perspective of Leonardo Boff’s Eco-Spirituality

Patrisius Epin Du — 2025-12-01

This article aims to examine the Sacrament Tree Program in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Mbeling, from the perspective of ecotheology, with particular attention to Leonardo Boff’s eco-spirituality. The Sacrament Tree Program forms part of the local Church’s efforts to respond to the ecological crisis while fostering ecological awareness among the faithful in caring for and preserving God’s creation. This study employs a qualitative research design using a phenomenological approach, which focuses on the lived experiences of parishioners and pastoral agents in understanding and implementing the Sacrament Tree Program. Data were collected through interviews and a critical reading of Leonardo Boff’s ecotheological thought. The findings of this study indicate that: (a) the Sacrament Tree Program helps believers to recognize the importance of caring for the environment, affirming that ecological responsibility is an integral dimension of Christian faith and moral commitment; (b) the program serves as an educational medium that fosters a relational ethos and an awareness of the interdependence of all creation; and (c) the program extends beyond an ecological initiative, engaging the spiritual praxis of the faithful and strengthening their commitment to caring for the earth as a common home.

Midodareni in the Perspective of the Sacrament of Marriage of the Catholic Church

Skolastika Dinda Ayu Maharani — 2025-12-31

As a student of Catholic Religious Education, the author views Midodareni as one of the Javanese cultural heritages that contains spiritual and moral values in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic faith. This tradition is carried out on the night before marriage as a form of prayer and a request for blessings for the bride and groom. Through a descriptive qualitative study based on library research, this paper aims to explore the theological meaning and relevance of the Midodareni tradition in the light of the Catholic sacrament of marriage, as well as to highlight how the process of faith inculturation takes place in the lives of Catholics in Java. The findings show that Midodareni is not merely a cultural ritual but a living expression of faith, where the values of holiness, fidelity, prayer, and hope in God’s grace form its central meaning. The Catholic Church, through the spirit of inculturation, values local culture as a means of bringing the Gospel into the life of the community without diminishing the truth of faith. As a future Catholic religious educator, reflecting on this tradition fosters an awareness that the proclamation of faith cannot be separated from the cultural context of the faithful. Therefore, understanding Midodareni is not only an effort to preserve culture but also a concrete form of faith education that is contextual and rooted in the values of humanity, love, and God’s salvation.

Love as The Experience of God in Saint Titus Brandsma

Ignasius Liberto Sando Kota — 2025-12-01

This study explores love as a transcendent experience of God in the life of Saint Titus Brandsma, often reduced to mere moral sentiment or social affection. Addressing the increasing secularization of the concept of love, this research re-examines its mystical dimension as both contemplative and active. The sentral question concerns how love can be lived as a personal encounter with God, and how this was manifested in Brandsma’s life, particularly amid suffering and resistance against totalitarian ideologies. The study employed a qualitative-descriptive method using a spiritual theological and phenomenological approach to religious experience, based on literature review of Titus’s writings, Church documents, and spiritual theology sources. The findings reveal that Brandsma perceived love as an integration of contemplation and concrete action, love that fosters a personal relationship with God and encourages engagement with suffering and social justice. Love, in this context, emerges not only as a virtue but as a transformative spiritual power rooted in deep faith. In conclusion, Brandsma’s understanding of love exemplifies a mystical-contemplative spirituality that remains relevant for the Church and contemporary society, offering a profound response to violence, hatred, and spiritual dryness in the modern world.

Tebe Dance in the Perspective of Public Theology: Theological Meanings of Solidarity and the Acceptance of the Other

Paskalis Rivaldo Ghari — 2025-12-01

The Tebe dance, as one of the cultural heritages of the people of East Nusa Tenggara, particularly in Belu, represents not only an aesthetic artistic expression but also embodies profound social and spiritual dimensions. The circular formation in the Tebe dance symbolizes fraternity, togetherness, and solidarity, creating a space of encounter between individuals and the community, including relationships with the Other. This article aims to examine the theological meaning of the Tebe dance from the perspective of public theology and its relevance for Christian praxis in the social sphere. This study employs a qualitative approach through a theological–conceptual reflective method that integrates cultural analysis with the framework of public theology. The findings indicate that the Tebe dance can be understood as a symbol of faith praxis that embodies Gospel values such as solidarity, inclusivity, and openness to diversity within a pluralistic society. The dance presents a dialogical form of public theology rooted in local culture, in which faith is expressed not only within liturgical spaces but also through concrete social relationships. The scholarly contribution of this article lies in enriching the discourse of contextual public theology by offering a theological reading of local cultural practices as a medium for articulating and embodying a living and socially relevant faith.

Anti-Corruption Philosophy: Unpacking the Desire for Power, the Pursuit of Pleasure, and the Animalistic Side of Human Nature Behind Corruption

Stefanus Fernandes — 2025-12-01