Genesis 37: 3-4, 12-13A, 17B-28A
This is one of my least favorite readings in the Bible. The jealousy was so severe that his Brothers would not even speak to Joseph, and eventually stripped him of his multi-colored overcoat and sold him to a group of foreigners for twenty pieces of silver.
As much as I disdain this story, it provides excellent fodder for reflection especially during Lent. From what I have been reading and hearing, more and more siblings, family members and friends have stopped speaking to one another for all sorts of reasons - in particular political ideologies. I even heard of a set of twins who supported different Presidential candidates no longer interacting. Lent is a perfect time to step back and ask ourselves how we can better accept others, agree to disagree and look beyond whether someone is wearing a Brooklyn Bernie button or MAGA hat.
Sibling rivalry, while nothing new, can even pervade in Religious Congregations. Being a Franciscan Brother of Brooklyn, I am surrounded by many Brothers who are smarter, more articulate and possessing of greater talent. How easy it is for me to become envious, and try to push them aside so I can be front and center. May God’s grace abound so I can this Lent make the choice to fast from jealousy and feast on contentment.
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| ...make the choice to fast from jealousy and feast on contentment. |
Content is the perfect word to describe Stanley P. Kosakowski, my incredible Advisor for eight years at Seton Hall University – whose 17th anniversary of going to God is today. Stan – blessed with many temporal goods – could have resided anywhere and owned any vehicle; instead, he lived in a small house in Bayonne, New Jersey and drove a Volkswagen Beetle. Stan’s Franciscan way of living is a reminder during Lent of what really is important – sharing the Good of God’s Love – just as Jesus did on the journey to Calvary.
Brother Gregory Cellini, O.S.F.
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