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March 21, 2014

In the first reading, we read about Joseph and his brothers, how the latter hated him because of jealousy and how they threw him into a well before selling him to a group of Ishmaelites who brought him to Egypt. This reading shows how hatred can lead people to do horrible things to others, even to one’s own kin. Cain killed Abel, Saul wanted to kill David, etc. There are so many similar stories of hatred and violence in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the Pharisees hated Jesus and wanted to kill him. Eventually they were successful.

In the gospel, Jesus speaks about a parable in which the tenants of a vineyard kill the servants of the owner whom he has sent to collect the farm produce. Jesus was alluding to the prophets and holy men of the Old Testament who were killed by the faithless Jews. Hatred is a very serious and real emotion. We all have experienced it in our lives. Oftentimes we hate people who have mistreated us, those people we don’t like or simply those whom we envy. Whatever the reason, hatred is a mortal sin. Once we realize that our hatred is destroying the image of God in us, we are called to repent of it. Man is called to love and not to hate. The owner of the vineyard did just that. He kept on sending his servants to make sure that the tenants will give fruits of goodness and holiness. But they just killed them.

Finally, the owner sent His Son to them. God invites us to always reach out to our enemies, to the people we dislike or even hate. He does not want us to remain in our sins. He wants us to be free of grudges, animosity, jealousy and rancor. The question is do we want to let go of our hate and anger or do we want to continue with our sins? We must contemplate His love for us when He sent His Son to save us from our sins. God loves us. Do we want to remain in His love

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 2

<< Friday, March 21, 2014 >>

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28
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Psalm 105:16-21

Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
Similar Reflections

REJECTION: THE MAKINGS OF GREATNESS

"The Stone Which the builders rejected has become the Keystone of the structure." —Matthew 21:42

Rejection is one of the most important experiences of our lives. We can respond to rejection by hating and rejecting others. We can spend our lives trying to show those who have rejected us how big a mistake they've made. We can fall into the trap of centering our lives on being rejected.

On the other hand, we can refuse to deal with rejection ourselves. We can cast it on the Lord (1 Pt 5:7). He is the most rejected Person ever, but He will in no way reject us (Jn 6:37). He doesn't get caught up in reacting to rejection. He is caught up in loving everyone, even enemies who reject Him. If we take our rejection to Jesus, we'll be caught up in love. This will lead to a life of true greatness. Joseph, for example, was rejected by his brothers (Gn 37:4ff). However, he didn't build his life around being rejected, but focused on doing God's will, and became one of the greatest men in history.

What we do with rejection will make or break us. Let's fix our eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2), not rejection. Let Jesus be the Lord of your rejection. He will turn rejection to the good for those who love Him (Rm 8:28).

Prayer: Jesus, I forgive those who have rejected me and give my pain to You.

Promise: "It was the Lord Who did this and we find it marvelous to behold." —Mt 21:42

Praise: Sunil knew that if he became a Christian, his Hindu family would disown him. He chose to follow Jesus, and has served Him faithfully as a pastor for several decades.