I ask you my dear friends, why are you envious of the other person; why not look inward?
Good morning, dear friends and welcome to Friday of the second week of Lent Year B. We bless God for the new day and the new month and we ask Him to see us through this day and the remaining days of the month, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Dear friends, ‘why do we sometimes believe we can think for God’; why not allow him to be the God that He is.
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other children, for he was the son of his old age; he had a gown with long sleeves made for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than he loved them, they hated him and could no longer speak to him in a friendly way… Come we will sell him to the Ishmaelite and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother and our own flesh….”
Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28
This passage delves into the intricate dynamics within Joseph’s family, exposing the toxic blend of jealousy, resentment, and betrayal. Joseph’s dreams, symbols of future greatness, trigger intense envy among his brothers, inciting them to conspire against him. Their decision to sell him into slavery epitomizes the darkest depths of family strife, illustrating how envy can corrode even the strongest bonds. Yet woven within the narrative of treachery lies a tread of divine providence. Despite Joseph’s unjust treatment, his journey ultimately unfolds according to a greater plan. Moreover, the story of Joseph serves as a timeless reflection on the complexities of human relationships and the enduring struggle against envy and resentment. It prompts introspection, challenging us to confront our own vulnerabilities to jealousy and to cultivate empathy and forgiveness in our interactions.
So I ask you my dear friends, why are you envious of the other person; why not look inward?
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father,
Grant us strength to overcome envy and bitterness in our relationships. Help us to emulate Joseph’s unwavering faith in the face of betrayal. Guide us to forgive those who wrong us and to trust in Your divine plan, knowing that through adversity, You work for our ultimate good.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
