Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the 2nd week of Lent, March 21, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Genesis 37: 3-4.12-13a.17b-28; Rs psalm 105: 16-17.18-19.20-21; Matthew 21: 33-43.45-46MESSENGER Our meditation today has the theme: Messenger. Theterm "messenger" is attached to the Lord God who works to create allthings. After creation the first human beings, God sent and placed them in theworld. They were given a number of responsibilities. This sending out continuesto be made to the selected figures including Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Johnthe Baptist, and of course the greatest one certainly the Lord Jesus Christ,who were equipped with tasks that they must do. The messengers are basically askedto be responsible to God. The opponent of this sending out messenger is an evil ornegative agenda to send the chosen ones to carry out the plan of destruction ordeath. If the Lord sends the heavenly angels, the Church sends hermissionaries, the state sends its ambassadors or consuls, the community orcompany sends its managers or representatives; every attempt of evil and crimealso sends its representatives. A narcotics trafficking boss, for example, senthis men to trade drug elements, to be very well organized in the plan andsystem of the trade. He must be a great personality and so much feared by hismembers. Our common knowledge reveals that if God is omnipotentin sending his messengers, the rulers of evil also compete to send their bestpeople. If there is the Archangel Michael who is tasked to fight against Satan,there is also the greatest angel of Satan to keep up with the great armyMichael. This means that every time Satan and his messengers are so eager to finda flaw in God's messengers to deceive them and eventually master them. Ourreadings today describe the perfect state of the messengers, that is, they arethe trusted choice of the leader, ruler, father and God.  Joseph, the beloved son of the father Jacob, was sent tobe among his brothers who were very hostile to him because of their envy. The messengersof the master of vineyard were also sent out to the field. Those sent were hisconfidants, and even his own biological son to be his heir. All of thesemessengers are the best and most trustworthy, but Satan's power and evil act alsoseek to disturb and control them. This situation actually describes also our actuallife situation today. We are all together with our Master Jesus Christ becomemessengers of the heavenly Father, we carry out a mission to bring salvation ofthe world and all mankind. Jesus is the best model of sacrifice of the messengerof the Father. Salvation is the main duty to be realized. Each of us is thechosen and trusted messenger to continue the mission of Christ. We must be readyfor all the risks that come our way and threaten us. Every decision basically hasrisks. Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Jesus, strengthenus with Your power so that we can be Your best messengers. Hail Mary full ofgrace ... In the name of the Father...