Today’s readings involve the difficulties encountered by the special son. In the first reading, it is Joseph, the son of Jacob. In the Gospel parable, it is the landowner’s son symbolizing Jesus. Neither of today’s passages end on a positive note. Joseph is sold into slavery. Jesus is forecasting what the religious leadership will do to him. I would prefer not to wait until Easter for a change in tone.

As the special son born to my parents in their “old age” (having a child in your mid-forties was much more remarkable at that time), I have felt a connection to the story of Joseph most of my life. (I was also the only son, which lead to a special connection to my father that my older sisters never had.) During times of difficulty and challenge I would remember Joseph’s story. In the early 1970’s I was exposed to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It gave me some personal “cheerleading” especially during the times when I was abroad, living alone working on a very stressful and competitive PhD dissertation. These were times when thoughts that God may have a better future for me were a source of consolation.

This is a Friday in Lent. I find myself asking, what am I doing for Lent? Asking me to give up meat does not really push me forward. In fact, I am happy to have the excuse to indulge in a Fish Fry. This was weekly part of my youth that I enjoyed but which tended to disappear when it was reduced to a mostly seasonal offering. Rather than what I am giving up, this season I trying to concentrate on moving in new directions that will leave me better when Easter arrives. In today’s reading we see Joseph’s brothers and the religious leaders in the Gospel feeling confident in their misguided judgements. I know how often I judge and wonder how much it is due to my sources of information and to those who are around me. My Lenten task is to judge less and to seek to understand more. Lent is already more than 20% done. How have I progressed in moving closer to God and to humanity? This is the focus of my prayer today.

Dear Lord,
I find it too easy to agree with those around me who are critical of those outside our circle.
I try, but I frequently fail to make the effort to really understand the concerns of others.
Please give me the fortitude to be a better listener.
Grant me the patience to avoid simple and convenient judgements.
Allow me to recognize where I may have been wrong.
Help me to find the confidence to stand up for what is right
 even if it takes me away from where I find myself most comfortable.