It is 22nd March 2019. The readings are from Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28; and the Gospel from Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46. God continues to bless us even if we are messed up by many including the most intimate family members or friends. We all wonder why am being abused by my own family members. Perhaps, through our suffering, pain and frustration God wants to save someone in our family, institution or in the community. Anyone can plot against us yet God slots the best plan and blessing into our lives always. We have an episode of Joseph being sold into slavery by his own brothers. The brothers envied him, rejected him, plotted against him and went to the extend of getting rid of him. “They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.” (Gen.37:28). For our safety and security, we too get rid of people in our lives either physically or emotionally. We convince our minds that if that individual is not going to be there around, our life will be better. Some of us even pray and wish evil and plot harm to the one admired and loved by many. Can jealousy demand the life of the other? Surely. The story of Joseph describes how his own brothers who were jealous of Joseph over a dress and dreams willing to kill him. Jealousy might look a simple human act but it has serious spiritual consequences that can harm the entire soul if not checked and dealt timely. Without spiritual guidance and personal prayers, we cannot deal with jealousy. The roots of jealousy penetrate the depth of the soul so fast and gets rooted so deep. We must not cultivate and entertain jealousy by all means. When we are in the furnace of jealousy, we lose the power to do good and think right. The brothers of Joseph wanted him be killed by someone through the slavery but God controls our lives and protects with all the might and power to provide the best we all deserve. The responsorial Psalm praises, “Remember the wonders the Lord has done.” (Ps.104:5). The vine in the Old Testament was Israel replaced by Jesus, the vine in the New Testament. God reaches out to us in many ways through many people especially through God’s Beloved Son Jesus. Our listening to Jesus and allowing Him to guid by Him is the only way to connect with God. Just like Joseph in the Old Testament, Jesus was rejected, plotted against and killed by His very own. Although Jesus was the rejected stone by many, God made Him the cornerstone of the Church. Let us accept Jesus now as a forgiving and merciful Saviour during the Lent. Our waiting would cause us to be judged by Him mercilessly and condemned by Him. We must not miss the opportunity to love and forgive now. Let not the spiritual cyclone of jealousy, personal hatred, betrayal, ingratitude and comparing ourselves with the others bury us alive. May our love and charity overcome all personal evil against us and the other. May you have a good day. God bless you.