Friday of the Second Week of Lent February 25, 2005 Scripture: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 Reflection: The story of Joseph in the Old Testament continues to captivate and speak to our wounded world today, many centuries after this famous son of Israel lived. Adored by his father, loathed by his older brothers, Joseph was a dreamer, perhaps a bit naïve with his head in the clouds; his dreams, however, were a manifestation of his deep relationship with God, who gifted him with a special sensitivity to the world in which he lived. As much as I can identify with Joseph, I can just as easily play the part of his brothers. I marveled at the ranges of their humanity as they disagreed with one another, rationalized about killing their brother and deceived their father to rid themselves of this dreamer. Selling him off was about next best thing to killing him. What did Joseph feel while all this was happening? Did he ever question God, “Why me, Lord? Why must I be so different?” Taking a sneak peek ahead and reading on further in Genesis, we realize that Joseph, though rejected by his brothers, rises from the “dead” to become an instrument of God’s plan of salvation for his people, just as Jesus, another dreamer and prophetic voice, has done for us. Indeed, it is amazing to see the work of the master builder who took lowly stones and transformed them into powerful cornerstones in our shared faith story. Suggested Action: Pray for the grace of awareness, to recognize the overt and covert ways in which we sell off or reject our brothers and sisters. Mary Lynn Delfino, Member of IHM Prayer Group Scranton, Pennsylvania