Friday of the
Second Week of Lent (St. Patrick’s Day)
(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)
The two readings today are meant to parallel one
another. In the reading from Genesis Joseph
is his father’s favorite son. His
brothers hate him for that fact. To get
rid of him they give him to foreign traders.
In the gospel Jesus presents himself as God’s beloved son. His fellow Jews resent his unveiling of their
malevolent desires. They will have him
arrested when the moment is favorable and deliver him to the foreign occupiers
of Israel.
Resentment and hatred sour the soul. They move people to commit atrocities. They may be purged but at great cost. Jesus
died to redeem his people and the whole world.
St. Patrick made a great sacrifice in returning to Ireland to convert the
people among whom he lived as a slave.
Descriptions of his life include mention of the risk that he incurred in
carrying out his mission.
During Lent we should make every effort to purge
ourselves of resentment and hatred.
First, we need to recognize where it exists. Perhaps we feel animosity toward people of a
particular race, religion, or lifestyle.
We should be fasting in repentance for the times when our hatred took active
form. Finally, we pray to Christ for
mercy. If we take these steps, we may be
confident that at the celebration of the resurrection we will be raised from
the scum of hatred.
