Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the 2nd week of Lent, March 20, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Jeremiah 17: 5-10; Rs psalm 1: 1-2.3.4.6; Luke 16: 19-31THE CURSE OF COMFORT Our meditation today has the theme: The Curse ofComfort. There was a large group of termites living behind the walls of thehouse. The house looks beautiful, sturdy and the wall color is minimalist. Theframes are given a bright brown color combined with the door leaves and windowsare clear in oil paint. The head of the termite group led the deliberations andcalled for a large movement of termites to penetrate the walls of the house.Some of its members asked about the reason for the movement through the wallsof the house.  The leader replied that the number of members wasincreasing and needed a larger space. Food also needs to be added. And the mostimportant reason would be the house owner is too comfortable, too arrogant andselfish. He had to be reprimanded, at least by making his house eaten bytermites, and he ended up thinking about the fate of his own life and that ofhis family. Time passed day by day and unaware of the house owner,the walls around the house began to be filled with termites. Frames, door andwindow leaves, as well as other furniture such as cabinets and wooden shelvesbegan to be eaten by termites. The host finally realized that he was attackedby termites. The attack was the same as a thief breaking into a house withoutnotifying in advance.  He never thought before that behind a comfortable and luxurylife, it hid a curse of danger that was destructive and damaging. Immediatelyhe saw that his beautiful and magnificent house had turned into a fragile, old,dirty house and was about to collapse. He knew that regret was useless, but healso wanted to improve his household situation while he was still able to do. On this day, the holy readings provide a firm note andwarning so that we are always on the lookout for every form of curse, taste,and a comfortable life. Rich people who live more than enough are eventuallyhit by a curse at the end of their lives. All the comforts of their livesreally close their sensitivity, care, solidarity and concern for thecircumstances around them, including the poor who are always at the door of theirhouses. The reason for all forms of comfort in life is thatpeople rely only on human tastes and desires in this world. They just want tobe tasty and only for themselves. The principle is to share with others,especially those who suffer, it only harms and reduces oneself’s comfort.According to the prophet Jeremiah, this lifestyle was clearly very bad and hasto be cursed. On the other hand, if we do rely on God, our life is actually in sharingand serving others, especially those who really need help.Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O God, free usfrom all forms of selfishness, so that we may be generous to our neighbors. HailMary full of grace ... In the name of the Father...