The two readings of today's liturgy present the classic example of endurance, of a struggle that is brought to a conclusion for the victim who had to endure pain, suffering, and rejection. The early verses in Chapter 37 of the Book of Genesis reveal the dysfunctional siblings who are jealous of a young brother’s favor with their father. Were it not for the "happenstance" of passers by and a couple of guilt-ridden, conflicted brothers, Joseph would have experienced even greater mistreatment. In Matthew’s record of another of Jesus’ parables he describes the evil hearts and actions of tenants against the owner, his vineyard, his employees and even his son. Jesus uses this parable to stand up to the chief priests and elders who challenged his preaching and teaching. How empowered Jesus to speak as he did? Who authorized him? This parable concludes, like Joseph’s story, with a positive outcome: the rejected stone has become the keystone!
So, how do these events serve as "road signs" on our lenten journey? One thought might be this: there will be "moments" of trial and suffering for us regardless of the position or rank we might have in our society or our family. IN TIME a resolution, a blessing will come to be. BUT, BUT, BUT: we are a contemporary society. We expect results to be instantaneous. We have become accustomed to pushing a button and getting what we want immediately. Lengthy endurance has become anything less than twenty minutes. In the time of testing we are invited to discover the inner strength that drives us forward that makes us who we are.
Enduring a specific trial or suffering can serve as a great teacher. Surely you have heard: "I learned so much about myself as I went through my loved one’s serious illness." Events we pass through in our lives might be seen as an allegory. Sometimes these events might actually be an allegory of salvation history taking place in our own lives. Surely this is what we have in the two scriptural readings of today’s liturgy.
