The New Tunic

~~~ Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13A, 17B-28A ~~~ Psalm 105 ~~~ 

~~~ Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 ~~~

Three treasures...three sons...three lives thrown out like trash.

Joseph's brothers were jealous and wanted him out of their lives.
So they plotted to kill him in spite of knowing
 how much he was loved by their father.

The workers in the vineyard plotted to kill the landlord's son
with full knowledge that his father was their boss.

These stories are given to us so that we could make
 the natural conclusion about the death of Jesus.

He was the Father's only Son...loved by the Father.
It was the religious leaders of the time
who plotted to get rid of Jesus.

In each story the one who was plotted against posed a threat
 to those who would end their life.

Those with evil in their hearts could not see clearly.
They could not see beyond their own selfishness.

The brothers could not stand that their father had a favorite son.
Why weren't they just as favored?
Why didn't they get new tunics?
They had no need for their youngest brother...
at least not at that point in time.

The tenants in the vineyard worked hard every day...
why should they always give up the fruits they had labored to harvest?

This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.

Greed and jealousy choked their hearts
breaking down all sense of right and wrong.
What breaks down our barriers between right and wrong?
How did their hearts become so filled with hatred?

When Jesus comes on the scene it is a familiar situation.
He was sent down by the Father.
He came to do the will of the Father.
Those who plotted against him were gripped by fear and jealousy.
They were sure he was going to take over
 their position of authority among the people.

He was going to undermine all that they held important.
Of course we know they were very wrong, but
none the less they succeeded in carrying out their plan.

They, however, were very clever and conniving;
They did not actually commit the murder
themselves they just set the wheels in motion.

Joseph is the one who later saves his family from starvation.
The landlord hires all new workers for his vineyard.
Jesus becomes the savior for us all.

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone...

Today let pray for clear vision.
Ask God to purify your heart of any ill will towards others.
The Lord Blesses us in his own way...in his own time.
There is a 'new tunic' ready; just your size.

~~~ Peace ~~~

The Master Dreamer

~~~ Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a ~~~ Psalm 105 ~~~ Matthew 21: 33-43, 45-46 ~~~

Sibling rivalry is alive and prosperous in the Old Testament. The story of Joseph being left in the desserted cistern is just as well known as the Cain Abel story. Is it fairly common for brothers and sisters to play tricks on each other. Usually it is all fun and games, but in this case Joseph's brothers were not playing a game. Thet were serious about getting rid of their borther. A person consumed by jealousy becomes a non human creature. 'They hated him so much they would not even greet him'.

Imagine your own family members not talking to you.

Imagine how Joseph must have felt.

In today's society Joseph would probably have been the victim of bullying; from his very own brothers. The brothers were operating much like a close knit gang. Young Joseph was eager to be with his older brothers. He had the innocence of a child. Like most young children they want to be with their older brothers. They want to do everything that the older ones get to do. So Joseph was super excited to be sent out to join them.

From a distance the brothers plot to kill their own borther. They were filled up with hate. Their hearts were blackened with sarcasm, 'Here comes that master dreamer'. They were not referring about the dreams of our sleep. For some reason they thought Joseph spent much of his time 'day' dreaming.

How do you feel about being a dreamer? Do you ever 'dream' about things in your life? Do you ever dream about harmony within your family? Do you ever dream about the perfect spouse or friend? What do you dream about?

Jesus had a 'dream' too. His dream was to have us learn how to love like him. He too was betrayed by one almost as close as a brother, Judas.

Joseph was stripped of his special tunic made especially for him by his father. Jesus was stripped of more than just his tunic.

The only way to silence the 'dreamer' is to kill him, but in the case of Joseph God had a bigger plan for him. There is no way his brothers could have ever guessed that this very brother would later be the very one to save them from starvation. They just wanted him out of the picture at any cost, so they sell him for twenty pieces of silver.

and we know of course that Judas also sells Jesus for close to the same amount.

There are no coincidences in the divine plan.

Much later in the life of Joseph he is presented with the opportunity to show great mercy to his brothers and bring great joy to his father. The 'master dreamer' was able to pour forth love that had been taught to him by his father Israel. 'Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons...the child of his old age'.

The evil plot of the brothers was not able to silence the goodness in the heart of Joseph, the master dreamer. Killing Jesus did not stop him from acomplishing his mission, in fact his death was necessary for us to be saved. Just as it was necessary for Joseph to be sold into slavery in order for him to save his family,

even those who plotted to kill him.

The mercy and forgivness of God is way beyond anything we could dream...

either awake or asleep.

In your prayers today choose the one person you most need to forgive and pray for them...just for today...join the 'master dreamer'.