Friday of the Second Week

Reflection

Today’s first reading should sound very familiar – it is the story of the “Joseph” made popular by the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.” It also has many elements in common with the passion of our Lord.  These similarities begin with both being loved sons who dreamed monumental things – Joseph of his future role as a leader and Jesus as our master dreamer envisioning a world striving toward charity and justice to all. Both had murder plotted against them – Joseph by his brothers and Jesus by the hierarchy of the Synagogue. Both had someone unsuccessfully trying to go against the tide to prevent his death – Ruben who had the intention of rescuing Joseph from the cistern and Pontius Pilate torturing and humiliating Jesus in an attempt to get the crowd’s sympathy and choose Jesus over Barabbas for release.  Both were stripped of their tunics and both sold over for pieces of silver – Joseph for 20 and Jesus for 30.

Today’s Gospel then goes on to relate the story of workers in the vineyard killing the landlord’s son. The Gospel continues on with the famous passage, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

All together some very powerful readings that propel us toward the Passion story of Holy Week. Each theme is meaningful and both together symbolize the message of Christ’s death on Calvary. Both passages deserve a re-read and our thought.

Prayer

O Lord, when we see evil being plotted, help us to stand up for what is good and help one another with courage and love.

Joseph Gaida, Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a

Psalm 105:16-21

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website