Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent

• First Reading - Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a: Joseph was the favorite son of his father Israel and was given a special tunic, which caused jealousy among his brothers. His brothers plotted to kill him but ultimately sold him to a caravan of Ishmaelites passing by for twenty pieces of silver.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 105: Joseph rose to power despite his imprisonment and slavery as an example of God's intervention. Despite being weighed down with chains, Joseph's faithfulness ultimately leads to his release and rise to power.
• Gospel - Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46: Jesus tells a parable about a landowner who leased his vineyard to tenants who refused to give him the harvest. The landowner sent his servants to collect the harvest, but the tenants beat and killed them, and when the landowner sent his son, they killed him too. Jesus warns that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from those who do not produce fruit and given to others.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Matthew 21:42

For Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent, the Mass readings from Genesis and Matthew present several interconnected themes that are significant for reflection during this penitential season:

• Jealousy and Its Consequences: Both readings highlight the destructive nature of jealousy. In Genesis, Joseph's brothers are driven by envy to betray him, while in the Gospel, the tenants' refusal to share the harvest stems from a similar jealousy and greed, leading to violence and murder.
• Rejection and Suffering of the Chosen: Joseph, the favored son, and the landowner's son in Jesus' parable, represent the theme of the chosen one suffering and being rejected. This prefigures Jesus' own rejection and crucifixion, underscoring the cost of discipleship and the path of the Messiah.
• God's Plan and Redemption: Despite human sinfulness and betrayal, God's providential plan unfolds. Joseph's ordeal leads to his rise in Egypt and the salvation of his family during famine. Similarly, the rejection of the son in the parable points to the crucifixion of Jesus, which becomes the means of salvation for humanity.
• Judgment and the Kingdom of God: Jesus' parable concludes with a warning about the Kingdom of God being taken away from those who are unfaithful and given to those who will produce its fruits. This theme of divine judgment invites reflection on our own fidelity to God's call and the fruits of our lives.
• Forgiveness and Reconciliation: While not explicitly mentioned in these readings, the broader story of Joseph and the eventual reconciliation with his brothers invites us to consider themes of forgiveness and the power of reconciliation, which are central to the Lenten journey.
• Response to God's Call: Both readings challenge the audience to reflect on their response to God's call. Are we like Joseph, who remains faithful amidst trials, or are we like the wicked tenants, who reject the messengers and even the son of the landowner?

These themes invite us to a deeper examination of our own hearts and actions during Lent, encouraging us to align more closely with God's will and to bear fruit in our lives.

In the journey of Lent, we are called to a deeper introspection and conversion, a call that Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent illustrates profoundly through its readings. The stories of Joseph in Genesis and the parable of the wicked tenants in Matthew's Gospel offer us a mirror to reflect on our own lives, the nature of our relationship with God, and the ways we respond to His call.

Joseph, beloved by his father Israel, becomes the target of his brothers' jealousy due to the special tunic he receives and the favor he enjoys. This jealousy culminates in a plot that initially intends for his death but ends with Joseph being sold into slavery. Here, the destructive power of envy is laid bare. It's a stark reminder of how jealousy can corrode our relationships and lead us away from God's plan for unity and peace.

Similarly, the Gospel for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent presents a parable where tenants, entrusted with a vineyard, betray the trust placed in them by the landowner. When the time comes to yield the fruits of their labor, they choose violence and murder, rejecting the servants and eventually the son of the landowner. This story, while illustrating the tenants' greed and betrayal, also serves as a poignant allegory of God's relationship with humanity. God, the ultimate landowner, entrusts us with the vineyard - His creation and His Kingdom. The rejection of the son prefigures Christ's own rejection and crucifixion, underscoring the gravity of our choices and the consequences of rejecting God's messengers of love and redemption.

Both narratives converge on the theme of God's unwavering plan for salvation, despite human sinfulness. Joseph's eventual rise to power in Egypt and the salvation he brings to his family during famine remind us that God can bring good out of our darkest moments. The parable of the wicked tenants, while highlighting judgment, also opens a door to hope - the rejected stone becomes the cornerstone, symbolizing Christ's resurrection and the new life offered to us.

These readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent challenge us to examine the "jealousies" and "rejections" in our own lives. Do we harbor envy towards others, allowing it to dictate our actions? Have we rejected God's messengers, perhaps through ignoring the needs of the poor, the outcasts, or even the voice of conscience calling us to conversion?

Lent is a time to return to the Lord with our whole heart. Let us reflect on the areas of our lives where we have strayed from the path of love, seeking forgiveness and the grace to change. May our Lenten journey lead us to a deeper communion with God, producing the fruits of His Kingdom: love, justice, and peace. Through this process of conversion, we are invited to participate in God's redemptive plan, becoming bearers of light in a world often marked by the shadows of jealousy and rejection.

Prayer

Gracious God, in this Lenten season, cleanse our hearts of jealousy and guide us to true repentance. Help us to embrace Your will, to bear fruits of love and mercy. Grant us the courage to seek reconciliation and to live as faithful stewards of Your Kingdom. Amen.

Word on Fire: Insane Resistance

Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the Gospel for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent, emphasizing that God is the landowner and we are tenants of His creation. The servants sent by the landowner represent prophets and teachers reminding us of our duty towards God. Despite this, they are rejected and harmed. Jesus is depicted as the son sent by the landowner, symbolizing God's ultimate attempt to reclaim our loyalty. However, humanity's tragic response is to kill the Son, showcasing the profound resistance and sin against God's intentions.

What date is Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent?

What are the Mass readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent?

The Mass readings for Friday March 21, 2025 are:
First Reading - Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a: Joseph Sold into Slavery
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 105: Joseph's Journey to Triumph
Gospel - Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46: The Parable of the Vineyard and the Wicked Tenants

What are the themes of the readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent?

The readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent focus on jealousy, the consequences of sin, God's redemption plan, judgment, and the Kingdom of God. They invite us to reflect on our response to God's call and the importance of bearing spiritual fruits.

How can I apply the message of the readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent to my life?

To apply the message of the readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent, consider examining areas of your life affected by jealousy or where you might be resisting God's call. Seek ways to foster reconciliation, practice forgiveness, and be a productive steward of the gifts God has entrusted to you.

Why is Joseph's story significant for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent?

Joseph's story, featured on Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent, is significant because it illustrates the destructive nature of jealousy, the trials of the chosen, and how God's providential plan unfolds despite human sinfulness. It serves as a reminder of God's ability to bring good from our challenges and sufferings.

What is the main lesson from the parable of the wicked tenants, read on Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent?

The main lesson from the parable of the wicked tenants, read on Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent, is a warning against rejecting God and His messengers. It emphasizes the importance of producing spiritual fruits and being faithful stewards of what we have been given, lest the Kingdom of God be taken from us.

How can the readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent help me prepare for Easter?

The readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent help prepare for Easter by encouraging introspection, repentance, and conversion. They remind us of the need to turn away from sin and to open our hearts to God's transformative love, setting the stage for the celebration of Christ's resurrection.

Can the story of Joseph from Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent teach us about forgiveness?

Yes, while the specific readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent may not cover the entire story, Joseph's narrative in the broader biblical context teaches us about the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Despite being wronged by his brothers, Joseph forgives them, highlighting the importance of forgiveness in our spiritual journey, especially during Lent.