Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Envy: “painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage” (merriam-webster.com)
We know that envy left unchecked can lead to a hardened heart, division, hatred, even murder. Envy and jealousy within families is as least as old as the book of Genesis. You know the familiar story of Cain and Abel and how envy led Cain to kill his own brother. Today we hear another familiar Old Testament story of envy – sibling jealousy – the story of Joseph and his brothers.
Today’s first reading gives us just a part of this timeless story, so here’s the “rest of the story” in brief. Joseph is the youngest and favorite of all his father’s sons. This is evident to the older brothers, and one day they plot to kill him. They call him the “man of dreams” because he has shared his dreams (literal dreams) with them and they don’t like what his dreams seem to be revealing (adding to their disdain of him). One of the brothers has mercy on him and convinces the rest not to kill him out right; they eventually sell him into slavery and lie to their father about it, thinking that will be the end of the story. But, of course, it’s not. We learn later in Genesis that while still a slave Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, impressing him so much with his wisdom that he is put in charge of the palace and all the land of Egypt. Eventually he uses his position of power to save his family from famine, and he and his brothers are reconciled.
This “man of dreams” is raised up from betrayal (and almost murder) by his brothers, from a position of slavery with no power to great power under Pharaoh. His gift of dreams and dream interpretation, reviled by his brothers, eventually saves him and his family. He could have abused his power to gain revenge on his brothers, but instead he showed compassion, which led to reconciliation.
In today’s gospel reading from Matthew we hear of a similar theme in the Parable of the Tenants: “This is the heir; let us kill him,” likely referencing Jesus’ own betrayal and murder. And we are given the reminder, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone….”
Reflecting on these readings brings some questions to mind. Am I aware of my own envy or jealousy? Is it causing a hardness of heart? Does it bring division within my family or community? If I have been the victim of someone else’s envy, hatred or rejection, have I chosen revenge over reconciliation? Do I let fear of others’ envy prevent me from fully developing and using my God-given gifts and talents?
As we continue on our Lenten journey, let’s pray for one another to have the grace to choose reconciliation where needed, looking toward Easter and the celebration of the “Cornerstone” that had been rejected. “By the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes.” (Matthew 21:42b)
~Eileen Miller