March 06, 26 Friday of 2nd week of Lent: God turns Tragedy into Blessing

March 06, 26 Friday of 2nd week of Lent: God Turns Tragedy into Blessing

Daily Divine Word

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

The Old Testament is rich with stories and characters that foreshadow Jesus and his salvific actions. The first reading presents to us, one of such stories, the story of Joseph, the dreamer. Joseph was a beloved son of his father; Jesus is God’s beloved son. Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him, the authorities conspired to eliminate Jesus. Both were despised by who were very close to them. Joseph’s brothers sold him for twenty pieces of silver, while Jesus’ disciple betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver.

Danger of Favoritism and envy: The opening line of the story anticipates the whole story, “Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons.” Favoritism divides and partiality discriminates. Joseph is the beloved son whose dreams and rainbow coat make him intolerable to his own brothers. The envy of the siblings raises to hatred. Joseph is despised by his brothers, they plot to kill him but end up selling him for twenty pieces of silver. Jacob’s outright favoritism sprouts intense jealousy and transforms brotherly love into hatred. Envy among the brothers was so intense that they would not even greet Joseph. Jesus narrates a parable today’s gospel which demonstrates how betrayal and envy leads to brutal murder.

Count the blessings: Envy is sadness and anger about someone’s blessings. Envy blinds us, destabilizes our positivity and make us busy finding fault in everything and everyone. How can we handle this emotion? When perfect abounds, the imperfect disappears (1Cor 13:10). Counting the many blessings we have been given and growing in gratitude helps counter envy in a healthy way. Just as I am, everyone is worthy and deserves blessings. Feeling envious of another’s wellbeing could reflect one’s doubt in God’s benevolence.

God brings forth good out of evil: God’s ways are amazing and incomprehensible to human minds. God often seeks to bring good out of evil and we need to have confidence that our hardships are for a great purpose of God. Joseph trusted God, endured rejection, suffered uncertainties and the story of Joseph has a happy ending. Joseph confesses, “God sent me ahead of you to preserve life” (Gen 45:4). God turns tragedy into a life-giving source. Every suffering is a means to blessings. Every rejection is a vehicle to empowerment.

Our Takeaway

1. Favoritism divides and partiality discriminates. These spring forth envy.

2. Counting the many blessings we have been given and growing in gratitude helps counter envy in a healthy way. Just as I am, everyone is worthy and deserves blessings. Feeling envious of another’s wellbeing could reflect one’s doubt in God’s benevolence.

3. God turns tragedy into a life-giving source. Every suffering is a means to blessings. Every rejection is a vehicle to empowerment.

Wilson SVD