It is 26th February 2016. The readings are from Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28; and the Gospel from Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46. The first reading describes the humiliation and agony Joseph went through due to jealousy of his own brothers who decided to get rid of him by selling him into slavery. People would like to get rid of us, reject us, plot against us and even put us to death due to jealousy. Yet, God holds our life and God will protect us from all these unfair treatment of people. Let us nib jealousy at the very shoot of it. As jealousy becomes more rooted in us, the most dangerous attitudes and behaviours towards the others are harboured. The responsorial Psalm praises, “Remember the wonders, the Lord has done.” (Ps.104:5). The Gospel consoles us and strengthens us in time of rejection and abuse from people. The betrayal, ingratitude and bossing over cannot have its place all the time. Every person has his/her day of blessings and enjoyment. God does not forget us when we go through a very difficult and challenging time. In our personal suffering and humiliation God humbly reminds us about the others who have the same difficulties. Forgetting the poor and the suffering is equal to forgetting God. “It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone.” (Mt. 21:42). Jesus is the rejected stone by many. He will be the capstone, or cornerstone of the new structure, the Church. (Act.4:11). God offers mercy and forgiveness now during this time of returning to God. The same rejected stone will be the crushing stone on the day of judgement. God through Jesus is going to judge us on how we have treated the other persons while we lived on earth. May we begin the sharing of our blessings with the others to quell the growing jealousy in us. May you have a good day.