Betrayed but Not Forsaken: How God Transforms Sufferings into Glory. (Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28)

"From the Pit to the Promise: Trusting God in the Trials of Life"

 

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Peace of Christ be with you! 

As we draw closer to the end of the Second Week of Lent, the liturgical readings gradually draw our attention to the mystery of suffering and God’s redemptive power. Today’s passage from Genesis 37 invites us to reflect about suffering, betrayal, and the mysterious ways of divine providence. The story of Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob, cast into a pit and sold into slavery, can help us meditate the suffering of Jesus, who was also rejected, betrayed, and handed over. In both cases, what seemed like a tragedy was, in reality, the unfolding of God's greater plan of salvation.

The Pain of Betrayal and the Mystery of God's Plan

Joseph was dearly loved by his father, Jacob, and given a special tunic, an outward sign of his father’s favor. However, this love sparked jealousy among his brothers, who hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. It is quite surprising that since the killing of Abel by Cain, the brothered has been deeply wounded, and the blood relation seem not enough to safeguard it.  Today, in families, we see similar stories of hatred, rejection. May be we too have experienced rejection, misunderstanding, or even betrayal from those closest to us. Jesus, like Joseph, was also rejected by His own people. “He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). The pains of betrayal is felt more when it  comes from a loved one a family member, etc. 

During Lent, we are called to reflect on the wounds of our hearts, times when we have felt abandoned, forgotten, or mistreated. Yet, we must remember that our pain is not wasted in God’s hands. What Joseph’s brothers meant for evil, God used for good. The betrayal that led Joseph into slavery eventually positioned him to save many lives during a famine. Likewise, Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion, which seemed like a defeat, became the instrument of our salvation.

From the Depths of the Pit to the Heights of Redemption

The turning point in today’s passage is when Joseph’s brothers throw him into a dry cistern, a pit in the wilderness. How terrifying it must have been to be cast into the darkness, alone and powerless! Yet, the pit was not the end of Joseph’s story. God had a plan beyond his suffering.

In Lent, we, too, may feel trapped in our own "pits", struggles with sin, discouragement, or painful trials. But God calls us to trust Him, even when we do not understand. The season of Lent reminds us that beyond the darkness of Good Friday, there is the dawn of Easter. Beyond every pit, there is a promise waiting to be fulfilled.

Choosing Forgiveness Over Bitterness

Joseph’s response to betrayal was not revenge, but later in his life, he chose forgiveness. His story foreshadows Christ, who, from the cross, prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Lent is a time to examine our hearts. Are we holding onto resentment? Are we willing to trust that God can bring good even out of the wounds we have suffered?

Forgiveness is not weakness; it is the strength of those who trust that God is in control. Just as Joseph’s suffering led to salvation for his family, Jesus' suffering brought redemption to the whole world.

Lent: A Call to Trust in God’s Greater Plan

If we only saw the betrayal of Joseph without knowing the ending, we might think his life was ruined. But God was writing a bigger story. In the same way, whatever trials we face, we must trust that God is working, even when we do not see it.

Lent is a time to surrender our struggles, our hurts, and our fears to God. It is a time to trust that He is leading us, even through the wilderness. The cross was not the end for Jesus, and our struggles are not the end for us. If we remain faithful, if we hold on to hope, God will lead us from the pit to the promise, from suffering to redemption, and from death to new life.

As we continue this Lenten journey, let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to trust God, even when we don’t understand His plan? Are we ready to forgive as Joseph and Jesus forgave? Are we open to letting God use our suffering for His greater purpose?

The story of Joseph is a reminder that no betrayal, no suffering, and no darkness can stop the plans of God. The pit is not the end of the story, the resurrection is coming! Amen.