Daily Catholic Lectio. Fri, 6 March ‘26. Hatred

Daily Catholic Lectio

Fri, 6 March ‘26

Second Week of Lent, Friday

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

Hatred

Yesterday’s Gospel (the rich man and Lazarus) spoke about a human attitude of indifference—the failure to notice the suffering of another. Today the readings go one step further and speak about hatred. If indifference closes the eyes, hatred hardens the heart.

“Hatred” has become a very common word in our world today. We hear it often in social and political conversations. It is no longer only about one individual disliking another. Entire groups now hate other groups. Social media can easily become a channel through which resentment and hostility are spread and amplified.

The first reading and the Gospel present two similar situations. In the first reading, brothers show hatred toward their own brother. In the Gospel, members of the same people turn against one who belongs to them. Hatred begins not among strangers, but often among those who should be closest.

Joseph is sent by his father Jacob to bring food to his brothers who are tending their flocks near Dothan. When they see him approaching, they say among themselves, “Here comes the dreamer. Let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams.” What begins as jealousy grows into a plot against life itself.

Why do Joseph’s brothers reach the point of wanting to kill him? Several reasons are suggested. Their father shows him special affection. Joseph reports their wrongdoing to their father. And Joseph shares dreams in which he appears to rule over them. These experiences stir jealousy, resentment, and anger.

Jealousy and anger slowly grow into hatred. And the nature of hatred is this: it desires that the other should be annihilated or should disappear. Hatred does not simply disagree; it wants to eliminate.

During his public ministry, Jesus also faces many forms of opposition. The chief priests, the scribes, and the Pharisees resist him. Over time, their resistance deepens into hatred. Hatred is dangerous because it can lead people to the unthinkable. Eventually, they begin to plot his death.

Jesus speaks about this hostility through the parable of the wicked tenants. Through a story, he reveals the deeper truth about the rejection he is experiencing.

In the time of Jesus, it was common for landowners to lease vineyards and fields to tenants. Often the agreements were made simply by word of mouth. Written contracts were rare because many people could not read or write, and trust between people was often considered sufficient.

The landowner in the parable entrusts his vineyard to tenants. Usually, the tenants themselves would take care of the vineyard’s basic needs. But here the owner does much more. He builds a fence, digs the winepress, and constructs a watchtower. He prepares everything with generosity.

When the time comes to receive the fruits, the tenants refuse to give the owner what is rightfully his. The servants who are sent are beaten and rejected. Finally, the owner sends his own son. Instead of respecting him, they kill him.

The kindness and generosity of the owner do not awaken gratitude in the tenants. Instead, jealousy, anger, and greed grow within them. Because of these attitudes, they refuse justice to the one who owns the vineyard.

The chief priests and the Pharisees understand that Jesus is speaking about them. Instead of reflecting on the message, they react with even more hostility and begin to look for a way to arrest him.

Jesus receives very little in return for his kindness. Instead of gratitude, he receives hatred. That hatred eventually leads to the taking of his life on the cross.

What message do these readings offer us today?

We must ask ourselves honestly: Is there hatred in our own hearts? Does it appear in our words or in our actions?

Often, we feel jealousy toward the success or prosperity of others, but we rarely feel admiration for their hard work. Instead of appreciating their effort, we allow resentment to grow.

Hatred often hides itself in subtle forms. It can appear through irritation, rejection, or refusal to accept others. Differences of gender, race, religion, caste, language, culture, or economic condition can easily become reasons for division.

Hatred is more dangerous than indifference. The indifferent person simply ignores the other. But the person who hates wishes that the other should be destroyed.

How, then, should we respond to hatred?

Joseph and Jesus did not see themselves merely as victims of hatred. They continued their mission with courage and faith. They did not allow the rejection, hostility, or misunderstanding of others to destroy their purpose.

There is an African proverb that says: “If everyone who shows kindness received kindness in return, water would flow uphill.”

But water never flows uphill.

Kindness is not guaranteed to be repaid with kindness. Love is not always answered with love. Yet the Gospel invites us to continue choosing generosity rather than hatred.

The cross of Christ reveals that hatred may wound love, but it cannot finally defeat it. In the end, God transforms rejection into redemption and suffering into life.

Fr Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy