The story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis is a proleptic tale that points us to Jesus. Both were betrayed by their own and sold for silver pieces. Both are regarded as saviors of their people. Both were the beloved ones of their fathers. Both were sent by their fathers to their brothers, and in the case of Jesus, to his sisters as well. As we read these stories, we could simply focus on the evil people who are guilty of betraying their brother or guilty of betraying Jesus. However, the Church asks us to remember the marvels the Lord has done, how God has turned these seemingly terrible deeds into something beneficial for all of us.
Jesus tells the story of Israel as well as his own story in the parable of the vineyard from today’s Gospel. Again, our focus is on God’s providential care and how the plot of the workers in the vineyard unfolds to include all people as heirs of God’s kingdom. Consider where we would be today if these terrible misdeeds had not been used by God to provide for our future.
At the end of the story of Joseph, he speaks to his brothers: “Have no fear. Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end, the survival of many peoples.” At the end of the parable, Jesus also speaks of how God will use the sins of the vineyard workers: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?”
Perhaps you can see God working in your own life in much the same way. For instance, dealing with the pandemic in this past year has forced us to look for new ways to continue our life of community, of communal prayer, and of ministry to others. Perhaps you can remember when you were asked to do something that you did not wish to do but realized later that God was able to use you in that new position or new job.
Ultimately, it is God’s will that we seek. Even the dark moments of our history can be read as the marvels that God has done for us.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator