Friday of the Second Week of Lent
The first reading for today’s Mass is the story of Joseph and his brothers.
We all know it – maybe not from the Bible but from the well-known Broadway show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, with the memorable music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The brothers think they have gotten rid of their dreamer brother. They console their father with the famous song, “There’s one more angel in heaven, one more star in the sky.”
But, no. Joseph isn’t dead. He is taken to Egypt. After many interesting happenings, Joseph ends up as the powerful chief of staff to the Pharaoh. And then a great famine comes. The brothers and their whole clan need food. They go to Egypt where Joseph has wisely and prudently stored up grain from earlier bountiful years.
What is the moral of this familiar story? God can bring good – even from our misguided plans and mistakes.
Joseph will say to his brothers, “Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his purpose, the survival of many” (50:19-20).
Joseph took care of his family. That is an Old Testament story. But it directs our attention to the New Testament.
Who is the Joseph who takes care of the Holy Family? Who provides for them? Who protects Mary and the child Jesus? It is none other than St. Joseph. He provides for the Church. He provides a powerful example to husbands and fathers, to every parent and every leader in society and in the church.
Pope Francis encourages us to make this year special, to remember St. Joseph. There are so many wonderful ways that we can observe this year of St. Joseph. Above all, we can follow the advice the Pharaoh gave in his day: “Go to Joseph.”
Reflection by Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources