REFLECTION:

In the Church, when priests, deacons, and even altar servers prepare for Mass, they put on what is called an alb, a long white garment or tunic. The alb is meant to cover the entire person. It hides the clothing underneath so that what we normally wear—our everyday, earthly clothing—is no longer visible. In a symbolic way, it reminds us that when we step into the sacred work of the altar, we set aside the ordinary and are clothed for something heavenly.

In today’s reading from Genesis we hear: “Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age; and he had made him a long tunic.” (Genesis 37:3) Joseph’s tunic was a sign of his father’s love. It showed that he was cherished and cared for. But for Joseph’s brothers, that tunic became something else. Instead of seeing it as a sign of their father’s love, jealousy covered their hearts. Their resentment grew so strong that they plotted to kill their own brother. What covered them was no longer love—it was envy.

And if we are honest, we can sometimes be the same way.

When we see others being blessed—someone succeeding, someone smiling, someone being cared for, someone surrounded by love—it can feel as if they are covered by God’s blessing or covered by the love of others. Instead of rejoicing with them, sometimes envy begins to cover our own hearts. Jealousy takes over. Resentment grows quietly inside. Soon what covers us is not grace, but comparison. Not gratitude, but bitterness.

This is why the Church gives us the season of Lent. Lent is a time to ask ourselves: What is covering my heart? Is it pride? Is it resentment? Is it jealousy toward others?

Through prayer, fasting, and charity, Lent helps us strip away what should not be covering us. It helps us remove the layers of envy, anger, and selfishness so that something better can clothe us again.

At Baptism, each of us was given a white garment, a sign that we were clothed in Christ. God’s grace covers us completely—our wounds, our sins, our imperfections.

The question for Lent is simple: Will we allow jealousy to cover us, like Joseph’s brothers… or will we allow God’s grace to clothe us again?

Because when grace covers us, we begin to see others differently. Instead of envy, we feel gratitude. Instead of resentment, we rejoice in the blessings of others.

And that is what Lent is really about—removing what covers our hearts so that we can once again be clothed in the grace and love of God.