MAD MONDAY, Joseph of the Old Testament

2025-04-14 08:48:00, Aktualitet CNA

Joseph of the Old Testament

From Sunday afternoon, Holy Week begins, the Holy Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ begins. An example of our Lord Jesus is also Joseph of the Old Testament, whose memory we celebrate today. Joseph was the youngest son of the Patriarch Jacob and his most beloved son.

But he was not wanted by his brothers, who first threw him into a deep well and lied to their father that a wild animal had eaten him, showing him his bloody clothes. Then they sold him for 30 pieces of gold to slave buyers, who in turn sold him to the chief cook of Pharaoh of Egypt, Potiphar.

Joseph was very handsome and Potiphar's wife fell in love with him, who, because of his disobedience, wanted to accuse him of evil and immorality. As soon as the woman touched Joseph, he fled and left. Then, out of anger, she accused Potiphar of wanting to abuse her, and Pharaoh, as soon as he found out, imprisoned Joseph.

But once Pharaoh had a strange dream and sought an interpreter. With enlightenment from God, only Joseph could interpret it. That seven years of happiness and abundance would come in his place, and seven years of famine. Pharaoh was delighted with his wisdom and knowledge and made him his secretary.

Joseph used his power wisely both in times of famine and in times of peace. When the grain ran out, his brothers, who had destroyed him, reappeared.

Joseph did not hold a grudge against them, but invited them to Egypt with their family. Thus, Joseph represents Christ to us, because He, the beloved Son of the Father, was also persecuted by the Jews, sold by his disciple for 30 pieces of silver, and locked in the dark well of the tomb.

Today we also remember the barren fig tree, which the Lord Christ immediately withered with his word. This symbolizes the synagogue of the Jews, which had no spiritual fruit. The Lord shows us His power in the lifeless tree and also in man, to show that He had not only the power to perform miracles, but also to condemn.

The hymnography refers to the two above themes, but also to other sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ./ CNA