Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday in the Holy Week, April 16, 2025

Delivered by Vivian from the Parish of Santo Thomas in the Diocese of Bogor, West Jawa, Indonesia. Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Rs psalm 69: 8-10.21bcd-22.31.33-34; Matthew 26: 14-25KILLING INSTINCT The title for our meditation today is: KillingInstinct. "We all humans have an instinct to kill. Everyone must naturallydefend oneself, including by killing other parties who are considered to beobstacles," Anthony said such statement to his friends. There was a groupof students living in the school dormitory were sharing something in oneoccasion of their free times. Each shared what was interested in their livestogether. Anthony was considered strange by his colleagues. Henever killed a single mosquito, even though in the dormitory mosquitoes werefound all over the place. He never threw and chased away dogs or cats like hisfriends did. He bent to the side the branches of ornamental plants and not cutor broke them. To his friends, he prioritized friendliness, politeness,patience, and understanding. He never showed any resentment, anger andrudeness. Anthony reminds us all that the killing instinct ispart of our nature as animal beings. A different person or party is considereda threat. People or friends who have more ability become the cause of hurt orenvy. People who create progress or offer change are considered enemies to beeliminated. Those who do good in serving others because they are leaders or publicservants are considered to be the ones who bring bad luck, so they must befought and eliminated. Those are all behaviours that fall into the categoryof killing instinct. There are still so many of the same types that fall intothis category. In essence, humans are inherently animals that always have anuncomfortable circle. A person himself, his home, his family, his environment,culture, religion and country must be fortified so strongly, so that they areprotected from threats of other parties. When a man becomes insecure and feelsthreatened, he will try to fight back, and can destroy the other party. The presence of Jesus Christ and His mission in theworld became an anti-climax in the eyes of the world, and therefore, he wasdestroyed by His enemies. They found a possible instrument in the person ofJudas Iscariot, who was full of his murderous instincts. Judas was identifiedas having been possessed by a demon. This killing instinct was judged by theLord Jesus Himself through His following words: "Woe to the man by whomthe Son of Man is betrayed". The judgment is clear, namely the destructionof life both in this world and in the hereafter. We innately have a killing instinct, but we are alsogiven the responsibility not to use it to harm and destroy others. Only lovecan control this instinct.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord JesusChrist, enlighten us always to avoid the killing instinct in us so that we canlive in the spirit of Your love. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to theHoly Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...