READINGS:
1 R : Gen 37 : 3 - 4, 12 - 13a, 17b - 28.
Ps 104 : 16 - 17, 18 - 19, 20 - 21.
Gos : Mt 21 : 33 - 43, 45 - 46.
AS WE READ THE THREE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES, WE CAN REMEMBER THREE ASPECTS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE BETTER MEDITATION.
1. BOTH ACTIONS IN THE READINGS ARE UNJUSTIFIABLE.
HOW CAN ANYBODY JUSTIFY VIOLENCE AGAINST JOSEPH BY HIS OWN BROTHERS ?
AND
WHAT CAN JUSTIFY THE VIOLENCE AND KILLINGS BY THE TENANTS AGAINST THE OWNER'S SERVANTS AND LATER AGAINST THE SON HIMSELF ?
THEREFORE WHEN JESUS IN THE PARABLE ASKS HIS LISTENERS THEY IMMEDIATELY TELL, " THE OWNER WILL PUNISH THE TENANTS AND HAND IT OVER TO THOSE WHO REPAY PROMPTLY. "
YET IN THE PSALM WE RESPOND, " LET US SING THE WONDERS OF THE LORD "
THIS LEADS US TO THE SECOND POINT.
2. GOD WRITES STRAIGHT IN THE CROOKED LINE.
THE ENVY AND ENMITY AGAINST JOSEPH TAKES HIM TO EGYPT AND LATER HE ' PROVIDES FOOD TO THE WORLD' AND SAVES HIS OWN BROTHERS FROM SURE DEATH.
THE ' SON ' IN JESUS' PARABLE, BEING DRAGGED AND KILLED OUTSIDE THE TOWN WALL PROVIDES SPIRITUAL FOOD SATIATING THIRST FOR GOD AND SAVES THE WORLD FROM ETERNAL DEATH AND DAMNATION.
JOSEPH WAS SOLD FOR 20 SILVER COINS BY HIS OWN BOTHERS AND JESUS WAS BETRAYED FOR 30 SILVER COINS BY HIS OWN DISCIPLE.
3. JUST WAIT FOR A WHILE AND LEARN TO APPRECIATE GOD'S INSCRUTABLE WAYS. REMEMBER ST PAUL'S WORDS THAT, TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD HE HIMSELF MAKES EVERYTHING WORK FOR THEIR GOOD.
LENT IS A TIME OF SPECIAL GRACE TO LEARN TO TRUST GOD COMPLETELY AND TO ACCEPT EVERYTHING SERENELY.
