Friday, March 6, 2015



Friday of Second Week in Lent

(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)

Pairing the Old Testament reading with the gospel today reveals Joseph as a prototype of Jesus.  Like Joseph, Jesus is betrayed by his own people who hand him over to foreigners and thereby cause him grave injury despite his being completely innocent.  Also, both the story of Joseph and that of Jesus turn out glorious.  Joseph thrives in captivity, and Jesus is raised from the dead. 

The narratives remind us that our destiny is not ultimately in the hands of people who would harm us.  God will decide if we merit heaven or deserve hell. Whether we make corporate decisions from a spacious office looking over the city or sweep floors in the basement, we want our lives to testify to God’s love.  Then we may hope that He will forgive our failings and redeem us from any predicament in which we find ourselves, even death itself.