Our readings today bring out two cases of outrageous brutality. From Genesis 37, we hear of the brutal attempt of jealous brothers to dispose of their brother Joseph, their father's favorite, first by proposing to kill him outright, then mollifying this to dumping him into a dry cistern, and finally selling him to a group of Ishmaelite traders for 25 silver coins. Brothers set against brother: brutal!
The gospel relates the parable of the tenants who mistreat the servants of the land owner, through beating, killing and stoning. Not once but twice and then killing the son of the owner. Their wickedness is brutal and appalling.
We, like the chief priests and Pharisees can be as brutal to the endless loving kindness of God by our rejecting his love through substituting our petty wants and whims for what God expects of us. Jesus has given us a clear template of what he wants from us: first of all, our complete love, and love for our neighbor, forgiveness, compassion, faith and trust. Lent is a time to work on these expectations, to incorporate them more deeply into our behavior and become at least one step closer to being another Jesus. Maybe we open ourselves today, to taking that step and even one more
Bro. Rene
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