2nd Week of Lent (B) : Friday 1st March 2024

In Genesis, Joseph, ‘the man of dreams’, almost becomes a martyr to his own siblings. Unwanted and sold for pittance, Joseph’s fate speaks to many migrating refugees of our day. The feeling of being betrayed and sold off by family is an extremely anguished and shocking experience. God, however, intervenes to straighten the crookedness of Joseph’s siblings.

In similar fashion, the parable of the landowner and ungrateful tenants that Jesus spoke about points to the same betrayals of the rulers of the people towards the prophets and messenger of God. The culmination of such treachery was aimed at the Son of God. However,  Jesus is unveiling the people’s ill will. The final word is definitely not betrayal. And it does not come from the treacherous religious leaders. God has the final say, it is faithfulness. The Lord is capable of straightening people’s distorted beliefs.

God has provided us with the necessary foundation to progress in faithful relationships  and yet we refuse to acknowledge persons, values, roles and duties. Nothing is exclusively pure human effort. God has His sublime part. In this time of Lent, let us not sacrifice others whose goodness we rely on for our progress and benefits. Instead, let our interaction and service reflect trust and appreciation.

Dear Lord, may we never turn our back on others when truth and trust demand it.