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Lenten reflection, day 15

Joseph was his father’s favorite. Dad had given him a beautiful coat, and his brothers were jealous of him. They wanted to kill him. But one of them said, “Don’t kill him. Just throw him in a dry well.”

Joseph was sold to the Egyptians for 20 pieces of silver and then became Pharaoh’s favorite. The happy ending occurred when his brothers, not recognizing him, went to Egypt to get food because everyone was starving, and Joseph forgave his brothers. Joseph gave them life even though they had wanted to kill him.

Joseph was a dreamer, and God had spoken to him in his dreams. One of his brothers had said, “Let’s kill him and see what comes of his dreams.” The Gospel shows us what came of Joseph’s dreams—because what happened to Joseph would happen years later to all the Israelites. They’d all be slaves as Joseph had been.

Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver, just like Jesus when Judas betrayed Him. Jesus forgives his brothers and sisters just as Joseph had done.

A few weeks from now, during Holy Week, we will celebrate what came of Joseph’s dream—because the dream of both Joseph and Jesus is new life, abundant life for us.

Father Thomas Deely, C.Ss.R.
Esopus, N.Y.

Scripture readings for today: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28; Psalm 105; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46