Clergy Reflection: Friday Of The Sixth Week

Friday of the Sixth Week

Today’s reading is taken from the final passages from the Book of Genesis in which we read of the death of Jacob. Jacob’s beloved son Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers but had nevertheless risen to a position of power and prestige within Egypt. Joseph’s brothers, however, were afraid that Joseph would exact revenge upon them now that their father had died. Joseph reassured and comforted his brothers and told them that he would not harm them and, moreover, he would provide for them and their children. Lent is a period of repentance when we come before Christ and ask for His forgiveness, knowing that we have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea. As we come before Christ asking for His forgiveness, let us recall the mercy of Joseph and extend our own forgiveness to those who have wronged us. In this way we will complete the image of the final verses of Genesis in which we are both sin- ners who come to be forgiven and saints who offer forgiveness.

Fr. Demetrios E. Tonias