GOD’S WORD

2nd week of Lent Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21 1st Reading: Gen 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a Gospel: Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Reflection: The Green-Eyed Monster “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster,” sayeth Shakespeare’s Iago to Othello. Out of jealousy Iago plots the murder of his friends, and out of jealousy Othello murders his wife, Desdemona. Indeed, jealousy is a dangerous passion as it poisons the heart of man and drives him to do dastardly deeds!

The brothers of Joseph were so jealous of him that they eventually got rid of him by selling him for 20 pieces of silver, the price of a boy slave! They were jealous of the love their father Jacob had for Joseph. Jacob will lose his beloved son, Joseph, because of the jealousy.

Joseph’s experience was a prophecy. Jesus, the true beloved Son of the Father, would also be sold. The jealous brothers of Joseph will, in the time of Jesus, be the jealous and malicious tenants in the parable of Jesus in today’s Gospel. Out of jealousy the priests and Pharisees will plot the death of Jesus. They will be ably assisted by one of the 12, Judas, who will sell his Master for 30 pieces of silver, the price of an adult slave!

Be careful, then with the green-eyed monster called jealousy! Jealous persons can become so consumed with this green-eyed monster as to sell even their own loved ones. Beware!