FIRST READING
Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a
Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age; and he had made him a long tunic. When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons, they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.
One day, when his brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem, Israel said to Joseph, “Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem. Get ready; I will send you to them.”
So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan. They noticed him from a distance, and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him. They said to one another: AHere comes that master dreamer! Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here; we could say that a wild beast devoured him. We shall then see what comes of his dreams.”
When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from their hands, saying, “We must not take his life. Instead of shedding blood,” he continued, “just throw him into that cistern there in the desert; but do not kill him outright.” His purpose was to rescue him from their hands and return him to his father. So when Joseph came up to them, they stripped him of the long tunic he had on; then they took him and threw him into the cistern, which was empty and dry.
They then sat down to their meal. Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, their camels laden with gum, balm and resin to be taken down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers: “What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood? Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21
R. (5a) Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
When the LORD called down a famine on the land and ruined the crop that sustained them, He sent a man before them, Joseph, sold as a slave.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
They had weighed him down with fetters, and he was bound with chains, Till his prediction came to pass and the word of the LORD proved him true.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
The king sent and released him, the ruler of the peoples set him free. He made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
John 3:16
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son; so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
GOSPEL
Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, AHe will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, ADid you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.
REFLECTIONS:
BAD PARENTING
"Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons." Genesis 37:3
Israel, also known as Jacob, deserved the "Good Housekeeping" seal of disapproval. He was a terrible parent. He favored his son, Joseph, and made him a special robe without giving his other children anything comparable (Gn 37:3). Jacob let the communication break down in his family to the point that Joseph's brothers "hated him so much that they would not even greet him" (Gn 37:4). Jacob was so out of touch with his family's feelings that he unknowingly sent Joseph into a situation in which he was almost murdered by his brothers (Gn 37:13ff). Even if you've made mistakes as a parent, you probably haven't been worse than Jacob.
The great news is that the Lord had mercy on Jacob and his family. After Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, the Lord orchestrated the events of the next thirty-nine years to restore Jacob's family. After Jacob's death, his family was reconciled. Likewise, the Lord is "making history" to restore your family no matter how bad its condition. If you give your life and family to Him, "they shall call you, 'Restorer of ruined homesteads' ", "Repairer of the breach" (Is 58:12).
During this Lent, fast and pray for your family. Confess your sins. By faith, thank the Lord for what He is doing in your family. This Easter season, celebrate the Lord's resurrection and His resurrection of your family.
Prayer: Father, may bad parents repent and form holy families. Promise: "The Stone Which the builders rejected has become the Keystone of the structure. It was the Lord Who did this and we find it marvelous to behold." Mt 21:42; Ps 118:22 Praise: Dan was drawn to follow Jesus more closely when he observed the love and joy of God in a fellow teen. Shortly after, Dan started an anointed ministry to young adults. (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Healing the Family Tree.)
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2013 through March 31, 2013.
Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 13, 2012.
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements
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