My brothers and sisters, as we continue our Lenten journey, today’s readings bring us to the Book of Genesis, chapter 37, and the Gospel of ...
My brothers and sisters, as we continue our Lenten journey, today’s readings bring us to the Book of Genesis, chapter 37, and the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 21. When we examine these texts, we find a tragic but ultimately triumphant story of rejection. In Genesis, Joseph is hated by his brothers out of sheer envy because he is the beloved son of their father. They strip him of his tunic and sell him into slavery. In the Gospel parable, the wicked tenants of the vineyard beat and kill the servants, and ultimately murder the landowner's son out of greed, hoping to steal his inheritance. The connection is unmistakable: human jealousy and greed consistently try to destroy God's chosen ones. Yet, the core message combined is a testament to God's sovereignty. Human malice cannot derail divine providence; God uses even the worst of our actions to bring about salvation. Let us reflect on this through three words: Gift, Greed, and Grace.
The story always begins with a Gift. Joseph was given a beautiful tunic, a sign of his father's special love. The tenants were entrusted with a fully equipped vineyard. God constantly pours out gifts upon us. He entrusts us with talents, resources, and the very breath in our lungs. We are called to be grateful stewards of these blessings.
However, the tragedy occurs when the heart gives way to Greed. The brothers could not stand to see Joseph blessed. The tenants wanted the vineyard for themselves. Envy is a spiritual cancer. Living in a tight-knit community, a parish, or a workplace, it is dangerously easy to start resenting the success or the talents of those around us. Greed makes us see our brothers and sisters as rivals to be eliminated, rather than family members to be cherished.
But the final word belongs to Grace. The brothers’ plot to destroy Joseph actually positioned him in Egypt to save them all from a deadly famine years later. The tenants’ murder of the Son led to the stone rejected by the builders becoming the cornerstone of our salvation. God’s grace is triumphant. Let us ask the Lord today to heal our hearts of all envy and greed, that we might celebrate His gifts and be instruments of His grace. Amen.
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