Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Saturday of the fifth week of Lent, March 28th, 2026

Delivered by Monika Kimmy from the Parish of Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. Ezekiel 37: 21-28; Rs psalm: Jeremiah 31: 10.11-12ab.13; John 11: 45-56.AGREEMENT Our meditation today is entitled: Agreement. There isa story about heaven and earth that always fight each other. Quarrels are theirdaily meal. Small things, trivial matters, simple problems often trigger theiremotion to dispute and fight. When the sky sends too much rain, the earthprotests. Likewise, when the earth sends too much steam up, the sky protests.Whatever small thing in their conversation can become the reason to fight. But at some particular times and if it isnecessary, they both agree to work together. When human beings behave so brutalthat cause the distruction of the environment, the earth agrees with the sky tobring punishment for mankind. The surface of the earth becomes dry and the landcannot produce plants and fruits. The sky does not pour its rain. But whenhuman beings take care and safeguard well the earth and its environment, theearth agrees with the sky providing fertility and warmth for human life and allthe living creatures. An agreement is born from the different sides orparties who come together to collaborate and work together. The function ofagreement is to preserve such cooperation and togetherness. From the point ofview of our faith, the difference between the authority of God and the power ofthe Evil one is very real and sharp. We know well that the Lord and Satancannot work together. It is impossible to find an agreement between these two. But if they can make just a single point of agreement,it is because of the Lord Jesus Christ and His mission. An agreement betweenGod's will and Satan's will be finally designed through the intention, planand act of the scribes, the Pharisees and the high priests. They were allgreats opponents of Jesus Christ. God Himself already authorized through thetestimony of the Scriptures, that Jesus Christ would die for gathering anduniting the scattered children so dear to the almighty God. The same view alsocame from the high priest Caiaphas who prophesied that Jesus of Nazareth woulddie to gather and unite the scattered children of Israel. This agreement had to happen, so that Judas Iscariot,after being possessed by the Satan, was able to carry out his duties. Anagreement must be made so that we can celebrate the Lord's events from thegarden of Gethsemane to Golgotha ​​until the moment of the Lord's burial. Thewill of the Father in heaven must be realized, but to carry out that will,there is an opportunity for evil, violence, and sin to take their roles. Thisof course, applies also to us, therefore Jesus has established a covenant, that alldifficulties and persecutions will come upon each of his followers. When wecarry out His will, the temptations, difficulties, suffering, persecution willgo along with us. God sees, permits and approves it. An agreement indeed hasbeen made for us. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord, may we continue to follow the modelof Jesus Christ when we face all the sufferings in life. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...