Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the second week of Lent, March 6th, 2026

Delivered by Joanna Engie from the Parish of Saint Gabriel in the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia. Genesis 37: 3-4.12-13a.17b-28; Rs psalm 105: 16-17.18-19.20-21; Matthew 21: 33-43.45-46.LOVE RETURNEDWITH HATE  The title for our meditation today is: Love Returnedwith Hate. For believers and followers of Christ, this sentence does not belongto the teachings of the Lord and Church. On the contrary, what the Lord andChurch teach is love in return or love that produces goodness, or love bringsjoy. Although it is not God's teaching, sacred scriptures and teachings intendto describe how evil and bad our life is if it is ruled by sin. Envy, hatred,anger, arrogance, cruelty, and violence are the sins that destroy life. Today's readings from the bible tell the story aboutthe acts of love from generous people who show the importance of love and mercyof the heavenly Father. That act of love is reciprocated with hatred and angerthat lead to murder and destruction. The target of hatred and anger is themessenger who carries the message of love to be conveyed or shared. Jacob senthis beloved son Joseph, to signify his own coming to meet and serve hischildren in the field. But Joseph was captured, tortured, and sold. Themaster's messengers to the vineyard were persecuted and destroyed one by one.The last messenger was his own son who was tortured and killed by his trusted workersand servants. During this Lent the call to reflect on the lovereturned with hate is intended to reinforce our obligation to do some actions.The first, we must avoid our inability to distinguish between love returnedwith love from love returned with hate. Those who profess faith in God butcannot discern it accordingly, and then deliberately reciprocate love withhatred, are not really the followers of Christ. Second, as believers our obedience demands that ourchoice is to do the will of God. We choose love returned with love. Kindnessreciprocates kindness. Joy reciprocates joy. In order to choose this, ourcloseness and intimacy with God is essential, and not the contrary such as dicouragment,dryness, and distance. Communication with God in a personal and sincere manner oftenbecome the most common ways to do.  Third, Jesus' own real experience dealing with Hisenemies had indeed testified how love returned with hate is. He reveals thatthis experience will be our experience too, because we follow Jesus’ way oflife. Jesus was not afraid and ran away from the powerful attack of hatred andthreats. The more hatred was ignited, the greater love was coming. The moreviolent treatment He received, the more patience, steadfastness of faith, andforgiveness were shown in return. This is the way He teaches us and we arerequired to do the same. Letus pray. In the name of the Father... Almighty and everliving Father, may YourSpirit always illuminate our minds and hearts so that we can always discerngood from evil. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ...In the name of the Father ...