Friday of the Second Week in Lent

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a

Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21

M atthew 21:33-46  "Hear another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. (34) When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; (35) and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. (36) Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. (37) Afterward he sent his son to them, saying, `They will respect my son.' (38) But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, `This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.' (39) And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. (40) When, therefore, the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" (41) They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in  their seasons." (42) Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: `The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? (43) Therefore, I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it." (45) When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them.  (46) But when they tried to arrest him, they feared the multitudes, because they held him to be a prophet.

Meditation by Marcia Shadle-Cusic

W hat powerful readings today with so many ideas to ponder.  In re-reading the story of Joseph I was struck today with the first line, “ Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons.”

As a mother, my kids tease my husband and I about who is the favorite child.  Since we have three daughters and one son I am always safe in saying, “Philip is my favorite son!”  But what about showing favoritism?  Being privileged?  Feeling resentful or feeling rejected?

In Joseph’s case it definitely brought out resentment, anger, and maybe fear.  Joseph was privileged and his brothers plotted to destroy the freedom that may have come from being the favorite. “We shall then see what becomes of his dreams.”  While Joseph becomes the victim, his brother Reuben is to be commended for stepping up, understanding the dynamics of resenting Joseph and trying to save Joseph’s life without his brothers knowing his real intent.  “His purpose was to rescue him from their hands and return him to his father.”

The first reading is direct in telling us that no good will come from abusing others for our own personal gain.  “What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood?”  And yet Joseph is sold, betrayed by his brothers who, in the end, still attempt to limit his potential by selling Joseph into slavery.   They attempt to eliminate “the favorite son” from their lives, and hoping that this will also take away their resentment, anger and fear.

What causes us to act in the same way as Joseph’s brothers?  Will we really find peace, happiness and joy in resenting others, in attempting to limit the freedom of another, in attempting to control the fate of others?  Suffering, uncertainties, differences of opinions between people are all a part of the human condition and thus our need to trust God through these difficulties in life.  Through prayer and reflection we can learn from life’s uncertainties, our own insecurities and resentment of others.  Asking God to help us find our inner strength and resources to help us get through these difficulties with ourselves and with others allows for personal and spiritual growth in learning more about our humanity.

In working through these difficulties which we find in life, we must remember “the ruler of the people - God - set him free.”  While we might fell resentful like Joseph’s brothers or, rejected like Joseph, we must pray through these experiences of resentment and rejection, insecurities and uncertainties and become more faithful, more fruitful, allowing our faith and trust in God to become the cornerstone in our lives.

Supplementary Reading

Sowing in Tears

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. ~ Psalm 126:5

T he most difficult place to keep moving in faith is the place of extreme pain. Extreme pain, especially emotional pain, can become immobilizing to the human spirit if it is allowed to overcome us. The psalmist tells us there is only one remedy for overcoming painful circumstances that will result in joy. We are to sow in the midst of these times. You cannot do this if you live by feelings alone. It is an act of the will. This act requires that we go outside ourselves in pure faith. 

I learned this principle during one of the deepest periods of my life. I had lost much that was dear to me. A mature man in the faith admonished me to reach out to others in spite of my own pain. "Invest in someone else," he said. I did not realize what a place of healing and comfort that would become. 

"He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:6).  Pain can become a source of joy if we take the first step by planting seed. There is a harvest that will come if we sow in the midst of tears. --OS Hillman