March 5, 2021: Friday of the Second Week of Lent

 Today's Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030521.cfm

One of the most striking things about Scripture is how realistic it is about human nature and family life.  Cain and Abel, Mary and Joseph's anxiety over the lost child Jesus, the siblings rivalry against another Joseph in our first reading; all of these stories rejects an idealization of family life and gives us stories about family life we can relate to.

Joseph is sold by his brothers into slavery because they are jealous of their earthly father's love for him.  But then we have the chilling line that comes before the Gospel: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life."  The Gospel tells us what will happen to such a gift of a Son.  The parable shows the evil tenants killing the son which symbolizes Jesus' death on the cross. God continues to love us knowing our fallen nature's bent towards evil.  Let us confess and repent our sins, firm in the knowledge of God's unconditional love for each of us.

- Jim Flynn, Ph.D., Department of Theology & Philosophy, Caldwell University

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