When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons, they hated [Joseph] so much that they would not even greet him.

As we enter the second week of Lent, we are faced with several stories of hatred, betrayal, and even murder. These are not only reminders of what we too often encounter in our world but also what will be faced by Jesus himself. The story of Joseph is especially pertinent. His betrayal led to the eventual salvation of many in Egypt and his people.

We are reminded of this reversal of fortune in Jesus’s response to the Pharisees regarding his parable: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done.” The word cornerstone here has almost no meaning. It is a useless ornament to any building. What is intended is the capstone, a stone that holds the entire arch or building together—a necessary element in construction. Indeed, this is true of Jesus’s role in our salvation.

These thoughts raise at least two questions: the first is to ask how essential Jesus is to my life. Does he guide all my values, my actions, my goals? The second question is to ask to what extent, as a follower of Jesus, am I a source of life and salvation for others. When we receive communion at every Mass, we are offered the sacred host and the saving cup of Christ’s blood. The bread tells us who we are called to be: the body of Christ. Drinking from the cup tells us how we will do that: by accepting whatever hardships or sufferings our commitment requires.

Am I willing to be poured out for others?

Let Us Pray:

O loving Jesus, help me appreciate what you were willing to suffer for my sake more and more. And help me to commit myself as your faithful follower.