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, handed over to foreigners, and suffers hardship despite his being innocent of crime. Also, both the story of Joseph and that of Jesus turn out glorious. Joseph thrives in captivity, and Jesus rises from the dead.
Both narratives also remind us that our destiny is not in the hands of those people who may do us harm. God will make the ultimate decision regarding our lives. Whether we look out over the city from a spacious office or sweep floors in the basement, we want to live in a way that gives Him glory. We then may hope that God, forgiving us our faults, will recognize our good efforts and redeem us from any predicament, even death itself.
