2nd week in Lent, Friday – 10th March 2023 – Genesis 37,3-4.12-13.17-28; Mt 21,33-43.45-46
Father’s Favoured for Salvation
The first reading relates how Joseph’s brothers plotted against him because he is favoured by their father. The brothers make plans to kill him and end up selling him for twenty pieces of silver. There is a strong parallel between the stories of Joseph and Jesus in today’s readings. Both were favoured sons of the fathers. Both were despised by other members of their people. Both had visions of how they would lead others to a better life. Both had death plots planned against them. Both were sold by the people close to them for pieces of silver. Both were imprisoned because of false witnesses. Both gave hope to those who were oppressed. Both brought prosperity and life to others by being raised up to positions of glory. Both Joseph and Jesus are, in the words of Psalm 118, “the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone.” Joseph brought material well being to his people. Jesus brought true spiritual salvation through his death and resurrection.
