Mar. 18 Friday of the Second Week of Lent; Optional Memorial of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop, confessor and doctor, Opt. Mem.

Communion Antiphon, 1 John 4:10:God loved us, and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.Today’s first reading and Gospel draw a parallel between Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers and Jesus, the well-beloved Son of the Father, put to death by the religious leaders of the Jews. Together with the prediction of the passion there is here the condemnation of the wicked servants of God whose proud infidelity is set in opposition to His providential plans.