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.
