March 18th, by Matthew Stout-Martin: Sophomore

March 18, 2022.
Matthew Stout-Martin: Sophomore
Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a/Mt 21:33-43, 45-46

The readings for today come from the book of Genesis with the story of Joseph and his brothers.
The story is told that Joseph was his father’s favorite child which he glorified with gifts and
presents. His brothers saw this and became very angry with Joseph. One day when his father sent
Joseph up to his brothers who were tending the flocks, they decided to kill him. Once he had
made it to the spot where his brothers were, all the sons beat Joseph and stripped him of his well-
made many-colors tunic that his father had given him. One of the brothers, however, spared his
life and decided to throw him in the well and was later sold into slavery to the Ishmaelites going
down to Egypt. When the sons returned to their father they lied and claimed he had been killed
by wild animals. This story reminds me a lot of the Lenten season with the sin that was
committed. The sin was envy, which is one of the 7 deadly sins. The brothers were jealous of
Joseph; so, in return they disposed of him. During Lent we are called to give up many things in
return to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This includes Jealousy and envy. In this time of
suffering with Jesus, we are called not to be envious of others for their successes, but rather to
celebrate it as a gift from God given to the person who received it for his or her own good, and
for the common good of all. Let us also use this opportunity to ponder on the most precious gift
of salvation which God gave us by the death of Jesus on the Cross.