Readings and meditation on the Word of God on the second Sunday of Lent, March 1st, 2026

Delivered by Grace, Jessica, Greg, and Bryan from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Genesis 12: 1-4a; Rs psalm 33: 4-5.18-19.20.22; 2 Timothy 1: 8b-10; Matthew 17: 1-9.FULFILLMENT IS A NEED The title for ourmeditation on this second Sunday of Lent is: Fulfillment is a Need. The bishopassigned one of his priests to lead a parish that was in trouble. Constructionof a new church building halfway, the parish priest fell ill and had to movefrom the parish. The parish's finance was mismanaged which caused a largedeficit. Conflict among the Church members of two factions also occurred duringthe leadership of the previous parish priest, and it seemed becoming moreserious. So the bishop sentthe new parish priest there with the main message, which was to solve all theproblems completely. He was forbidden to make new initiatives, except thoserelated to the completion of the construction of church building, mismanagementof parish finance, and conflicts between people. He was really expected to doit. In short, he must fulfill and accomplish all the deficiencies or what arelacking and not let them untouched or unnoticed. Fulfillment oraccomplishment what is missing or lacking is a necessity. This is not only thework of us humans, but also the work of God. The fulfillment is not to make Godbetter or perfect, but for the perfection of us humans. Fulfillment is thefirst work of God alone. For all thedeficiencies and emptiness in human life, God takes steps to fulfill. What Godhas made, God determines as a task and mission that we humans too must do. IfGod creates, then humans recreate. If God has opened the way, then we extend,expand, and realize until the goal is reached. God calls and we answer in orderto fulfill the task of God's calling and trust. God fulfilled Hisplan of salvation by calling Abram, and in response, Abram fulfilled that call.Saint Paul wrote to his beloved disciple Timothy that the coming of the SaviorJesus Christ and with His gospel has overcome death, and brought a life that cannotbe destroyed. Jesus Christ, who appeared in His glory on Mount Tabor, revealedthe fulfillment of the law that was delivered through Moses and the teachingsbrought by the prophet Elijah. Today, God's messageabout fulfillment is addressed to every one of us. We have a responsibility tofulfill what is lacking or empty in our lives and circumstances, both physicaland spiritual. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... God of heaven and earth, may with today's celebration we will be strongerin our commitment to fulfill what is lacking and empty in our lives. Our Fatherwho art in heaven ... In the name of the Father ...