Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday of the ninth week in ordinary time, June 3rd, 2026, Memorial of Saints Charles Lwanga and friends, Martyrs

Delivered by Christine Gunawan from the Parish of Saint Joseph Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Pontianak, Indonesia. 2 Timothy 1: 1-3.6-12; Rs psalm 123: 1-2a.2bcd; Mark 12: 18-27. WHEN THERE IS MISUNDERSTANDING Our meditation today has the theme: When There IsMisunderstanding. A young man was falling is love to a girl he had known forseveral months. The girl was ten years younger than him. The young man alwaystook every single opportunity to meet the girl he so loved. At one point he directlydeclared his love to her. The young man said: "I am in love with you. Canyou accept me, given our age difference is 10 years. All this time I have beenworried about speaking with you directly because of this age difference."The girl replied: "It's okay. I accept it. The important thing is that onecondition must be met." "What is the condition?" asked the youngman. "The condition is, you just wait until I'm of same age as you." As long as we as humans in this world we willexperience many misunderstandings. The above story is one of the many examples.Misunderstandings generally occur because there is no common understanding orthought among us. If we don't make an effort to address it, it will potentiallybecome a conflict and trigger a split between us. We should avoid the examplesof misunderstanding we find in the scriptures. The story of Tobit shown in the Old Testamentillustrates people's misconceptions about suffering of believers. Suffering forJesus' sake should not be considered a curse and a very shameful fate. Instead,suffering is an opportunity to gain God's grace and blessing. The secondmisunderstanding is the view that goodness and sacred calling are obtainedsolely because of human deeds. God is seen as having no role at all.Supposedly, this is because of the intention and love of the Lord God Himselfwho chooses and gives us highest dignity among all creatures. The Sadducees misunderstood that later in eternal lifethe biological husband and wife would resume their marriage there. They thoughtthat humans will only change their home address when they enter the afterlife.Jesus affirmed that they were really misunderstanding and that led them to thewrong direction of life. If there is a misunderstanding, what should we do? Letus realize that God is the One from whom we get light, counsel and a way toturn to the right understanding. We should also remind each other so thatmisunderstandings do not continue and have the opportunity to become great.Conflict is ready to strike if a misunderstanding is allowed to become bigger. Letus pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus Christ, teach and strengthenus always to be on the right path and understanding according to Your wisdom.Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name ofthe Father ...