Rejecting the inheritance

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us that personal gain or jealousy can blind us to the action of God in our relationship with those near us.

Mindful of those around us

The passage from the Book of Genesis describes the actions taken in jealousy by Joseph's brothers against him.

* [37:3] Jacob’s favoring Joseph over his other sons is a cause of the brothers’ attempt on his life. Throughout the story, Jacob is unaware of the impact of his favoritism on his other sons (cf. vv. 33–35; 42:36). Long ornamented tunic: the meaning of the Hebrew phrase is unclear. In 2 Sm 13:18–19, it is the distinctive dress of unmarried royal daughters. The “coat of many colors” in the Septuagint became the traditional translation. Ancient depictions of Semites in formal dress show them with long, ornamented robes and that is the most likely meaning here. Possibly, the young Joseph is given a coat that symbolizes honor beyond his years. Later, Pharaoh will clothe Joseph in a robe that symbolizes honor (41:42).1

In Psalm 105 God promises the land of Canaan to the holy people.

* [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11). In every phase of the national story—the ancestors in the land of Canaan (Ps 105:12–15), Joseph in Egypt (Ps 105:16–22), Israel in Egypt (Ps 105:23–38), Israel in the desert on the way to Canaan (Ps 105:39–45)—God remained faithful, reiterating the promise of the land to successive servants.2 

The Gospel from Matthew is the Parable of the Tenants who kill the heir in an attempt to inherit the vineyard.

* [21:33–46] Cf. Mk 12:1–12. In this parable there is a close correspondence between most of the details of the story and the situation that it illustrates, the dealings of God with his people. Because of that heavy allegorizing, some scholars think that it does not in any way go back to Jesus, but represents the theology of the later church. That judgment applies to the Marcan parallel as well, although the allegorizing has gone farther in Matthew. There are others who believe that while many of the allegorical elements are due to church sources, they have been added to a basic parable spoken by Jesus. This view is now supported by the Gospel of Thomas 65, where a less allegorized and probably more primitive form of the parable is found.3 

A Commentary by Craig Schenk on the Gospel of Thomas, a collection of traditional Sayings (logoi) of Jesus, contains the Gospel of Thomas 65 saying about the tenants in Matthew.

 65)  He said, "There was a good man who owned a vineyard. Heleased it to tenant farmers so that they might work it and hemight collect the produce from them. He sent his servant so thatthe tenants might give him the produce of the vineyard. Theyseized his servant and beat him, all but killing him. The servantwent back and told his master. The master said, 'Perhaps
did not recognize .' He sent another servant. The tenantsbeat this one as well. Then the owner sent his son and said,'Perhaps they will show respect to my son.' Because the tenantsknew that it was he who was the heir to the vineyard, they seizedhim and killed him. Let him who has ears hear."4

Mike Cherney comments that in today’s readings we see Joseph’s brothers and the religious leaders in the Gospel feeling confident in their misguided judgments.

 I know how often I judge and wonder how much it is due to my sources of information and to those who are around me. My Lenten task is to judge less and to seek to understand more. Lent is already more than 20% done. How have I progressed in moving closer to God and to humanity? This is the focus of my prayer today.
Dear Lord,I find it too easy to agree with those around me who are critical of those outside our circle.I try, but I frequently fail to make the effort to really understand the concerns of others.Please give me the fortitude to be a better listener.Grant me the patience to avoid simple and convenient judgements.Allow me to recognize where I may have been wrong.Help me to find the confidence to stand up for what is right even if it takes me away from where I find myself most comfortable.5

Don Schwager quotes “Life through death,” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

 "Unless the Word of God had first assumed our mortal flesh He could not have died for us. Only in that way was the immortal God able to die and to give life to mortal humans. Therefore, by this double sharing He brought about a wonderful exchange. We made death possible for Him, and He made life possible for us." (excerpt from Sermon 218C, 1)6

The Word Among Us Meditation on Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28 notes that Joseph and Jesus also remind us that God is in control—not the rulers of this world. He doesn’t get frustrated when people with evil plans show up and use deceit and violence to get their way. He just keeps working behind the scenes, retooling what was meant for evil and bringing about good in the end (Genesis 50:20).

 So what does all of this mean for you? Well, for one, it’s comforting to know that God is never caught flat-footed by the evil that comes into your life. Even at your lowest points, he is still in control. He still reigns. It’s often during those moments that he is working behind the scenes, preparing your deliverance.
It also means that you can fully trust him. God does have a plan for you. Do you have any big decisions looming? Bring them before your heavenly Father. Do you feel like you’re at a low point in your story? Keep running to God, and remember Joseph. Whatever happens, you can be sure that God’s plan will stand firm forever.7

Friar Jude Winkler observes that Jacob only thinks of himself as he sends Joseph to join brothers who are jealous of him. The “stone rejected by the builders” of the parable is connected to the stone at Golgotha in the rock quarry that supported Jesus cross. Friar Jude shares that the Scribes realized Jesus was referring to them as the tenants in the parable.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, cites Thomas Merton as he notes that one of the only ways God can get us to let go of our private salvation project is some kind of suffering.

 Yet that is the only path toward our larger and True Self, where we don’t need to prove ourselves to God anymore; where we know, as Thomas Merton (1915–1968) put it, it’s all “mercy within mercy within mercy.” [1] It’s not what we do for God; it’s what God has done for us. We switch from trying to love God to just letting God love us. And it’s at that point we fall in love with God. Up to now, we haven’t really loved God; we’ve largely been afraid of God. Finally, perfect love casts out all fear. As John says, “In love there can be no fear. Fear is driven out by perfect love. To fear is to still expect punishment. Anyone who is still afraid is still imperfect in the ways of love” (see 1 John 4:18).8

The truth that during difficult moments God is working behind the scenes, brings hope as we struggle with our relationship to others.

References

1	(n.d.). Genesis, chapter 37 - usccb. Retrieved March 22, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Genesis/37:3
2	(n.d.). Psalms, chapter 105 - usccb. Retrieved March 22, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/Psalms/105:16
3	(n.d.). Matthew, chapter 21 - usccb. Retrieved March 22, 2019, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/21:33
4	(n.d.). The Gospel of Thomas - Sacred Texts. Retrieved March 22, 2019, from https://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/thomas.htm
5	(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved March 22, 2019, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
6	(n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 22, 2019, from https://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/
7	(n.d.). 2nd Week of Lent - Mass Readings and Catholic Daily Meditations for .... Retrieved March 22, 2019, from https://wau.org/meditations/2019/03/22
8	(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive: March 2019 - Daily Meditations Archives .... Retrieved March 22, 2019, from https://cac.org/category/daily-meditations/2019/03/