So in today’s first reading, Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers. What a foreshadowing this is, isn’t it? It certainly foreshadows Israel’s slavery in Egypt that led to the Exodus, but it also foreshadows the selling of Jesus into the hands of his executioners by one of his own brothers, Judas Iscariot, and, of course, ultimately by all of his brothers and sisters, namely you and me. We must never forget that Jesus paid the price for our sins.
But, it also foreshadows our own slavery too. We too have been sold into slavery to sin, enticed by the power of the evil one. The chains of our slavery to sin might look like always needing to be right, constant self-pity or self-doubt, blaming others instead of taking responsibility, criticizing others constantly, refusing to move on from the pain of our past, taking joy in the misfortune of others, giving ourselves to endless worry, putting others down, using stereotypes and participating in racism, refusing to forgive, thinking of oneself over others, and the list goes on. We well know the chains that bind us to sin.
As the Psalmist tells us, the King eventually freed Joseph from his chains and put him in charge of his household. Lent is about allowing our King, Jesus Christ, to break the chains of our slavery to sin, and accepting the discipleship responsibilities he gives us. We are never forgiven and just left to go on our own: we are forgiven and sent on mission – grace is always given to us that we might share it with others.
As we continue the prayer of Mass today, we offer those chains to Jesus, asking him to break them, and accepting the gift of discipleship for the honor and glory of God. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!