Lent is returning what we have stolen, claimed as our own

40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Second Week in Lent, 06 March 2026
Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28     + + +     Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

As we come to nearly closing
this second week in Lent,
forgive us Lord Jesus Christ
for the many times we have
claimed everything as our own:
Lent is when we return back 
to God our Father 
the life we have all stolen
and destroyed in the process.

It tears apart my heart,
O Lord, 
that scene when Jacob's sons 
conspired to kill, later sold 
Joseph their own brother
because of jealousy
and sadly,
how this still happens among us 
as brothers and sisters,
"Judah said to his brothers:
'What is to be gained by killing
our brother and concealing his blood?
Rather, let us sell him
to these Ishmaelites, 
instead of doing away with him ourselves.
Afer all, he is our brother,
our own flesh.'
His brothers agreed.
They sold Joseph 
to the Ishmaelites 
for twenty pieces of silver"
(Genesis 37:26-28).

Forgive us,
Lord in owning each
other like a thing,
an object to be possessed
than a subject to be loved
and respected like when we 
rejoice at the summary execution
of criminals, when people argue
in favor of abortion and contraceptives
negating the value of life,
when some insist on same sex unions
and gender reorientation 
disregarding the sanctity of
the human body.

It is the same pride
that consumes us when we
think of our selves,
of our very lives,
of this planet itself
and universe as if
we own everything,
laying claim on everything
and everyone; forgive us,
Father for being so arrogant
with our misplaced confidence
and familiarity in our sense of
ownership and possession
of "your vineyard" entrusted
to us.

We have not only defied you,
Father in disregarding the prophets
you have sent to gather from us your
share of produce from your vineyard
we have now usurped; worst of all,
we have killed your Son Jesus Christ,
not giving him the respect due to him,
"Finally, he sent his son to them,
thinking, 'They will respect my son.'
But when the tenants saw the son,
they said to one another, 
'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him
and acquire his inheritance.'
They seized him,
threw him out of the vineyard,
and killed him"
(Matthew 21:37-39).

Every time we sin,
whenever we disrespect others
especially the sick and the weak,
whenever we discredit someone
not present with us in a gathering,
when we are unfaithful and we betray
those we have promised to love
and to serve,
we steal your vineyard, Father,
we kill your Son and Heir,
we claim as ours
without realizing the truth
we have nothing at all
for we are mere stewards.

Lord Jesus,
you have given me with
so much -
life and talents,
experiences and fulfillment
family and friends
not to own
nor possess like things
but gifts to be shared;
I return them to you
so you may use them
and me according to your will.
Amen.