The WORD in other words (2006) Father Dennis Lucas SVD – Divine Word College of Laoag, Ilocus Notre
Friday 2nd Week of Lent
There is an old saying: “God can write straight on crooked lines.” This perfectly describes the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis. Betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, Joseph could not have imagined how God would use that evil deed to save those same brothers and their families from famine (Genesis 45:4–8).
In today’s Gospel parable, the murdered son represents Jesus Himself. The tenant farmers thought they would gain the inheritance by killing the son. Yet through His death, Jesus brought the inheritance of grace to the whole world. God transformed human malice into the supreme good of salvation.
We often wonder where God’s plan is in the midst of suffering. We see natural disasters, wars, corruption, and injustice. In our personal lives, we face sickness, frustration, and loss. Like Joseph, we cannot always see why God allows these things, nor how He will use them for good.
But faith assures us that God has not lost control. Evil never has the final word. As St. Paul reminds us: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). Though God could prevent all evil, in His wisdom He permits it, and in His mercy He transforms it. He writes straight even on the crooked lines of human sin.
God’s ways are not ours, but His wisdom is perfect. He can turn crooked lines into a masterpiece of grace. Let us entrust our lives to Him, confident that even in suffering, His hand is guiding history and our personal story toward redemption.
“Lord, when I cannot see Your plan, help me to trust that You are writing straight on the crooked lines of my life. May my trials bear fruit in Your love.”
