Daily Catholic Lectio. Fri, 1 March 2024. Winning over hatred!

Daily Catholic Lectio

Fri, 1 March 2024

Friday of the Second Week of Lent

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28. Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Winning over hatred!

Today is the first day of the new month. As we thank God for his graces showered upon us last month, let us pray that he may accompany us in the new month.

On the third Friday of Lent, we are invited to win over hatred. Today, we reflect on the destructive force of hatred as we explore two passages from Scripture: Genesis 37, which tells the story of Joseph and his brothers, and Matthew 21:33–46, where Jesus speaks about the parable of the wicked tenants. In these passages, we find profound lessons about the consequences of hatred and the transformative power of love.

In Genesis 37, we encounter the narrative of Joseph, a young man with a coat of many colours, favoured by his father, Jacob. His brothers, however, harboured deep resentment and jealousy towards him. Their hearts were tainted by the venomous emotion of hatred, leading them to betray Joseph, throw him into a pit, and eventually sell him into slavery. The consequences of their hatred were devastating, not only for Joseph but also for their own lives.

Similarly, in Matthew 21:33–46, Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants. A landowner planted a vineyard, leased it to tenants, and sent servants to collect the fruit. The tenants, driven by greed and a wicked heart, responded with violence, even killing the landowner’s son. Jesus used this parable to illustrate the rejection of God’s messengers by the religious leaders of his time, ultimately emphasising the destructive outcome of refusing the call to love and righteousness.

The common thread in both passages is the poison of hatred and its potential to lead us down a perilous path. Hatred blinds us to reason, compassion, and the presence of God in our lives. It is like a weed that, if left unchecked, can strangle the very life out of our souls.

Yet, the beauty of Scripture lies in its ability to guide us towards redemption and transformation. In both stories, we witness the power of divine providence at work. Despite the hatred Joseph faced, God’s plan prevailed, and Joseph eventually became a source of salvation for his brothers.

In the parable of the wicked tenants, Jesus speaks of himself as the rejected cornerstone that becomes the foundation of God’s new covenant. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus conquered the power of sin and hatred, offering us a path to reconciliation and love.

As we contemplate these passages, let us examine our own hearts. Are we harbouring seeds of hatred, jealousy, or bitterness? If so, let us turn to the example of Joseph and the teachings of Jesus. Through forgiveness and love, we can break the chains of hatred, allowing God’s transformative grace to flow through our lives.

When we read the passion narratives and pray the stations of the cross, we realise that hatred plays a key role in eliminating Jesus. We often wonder, ‘Why must all human persons have hatred towards each other? Today, individual hatred slowly snowballs into community hatred, religious hatred, racial hatred, and hate politics. It is necessary that we don’t stand against each other.

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May we be inspired to choose love over hatred, compassion over resentment, and forgiveness over vengeance. In doing so, we align ourselves with the redemptive power of God’s love, becoming vessels of healing and reconciliation in a world often plagued by the poison of hatred. (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 43)

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy