The Bottom of the Well

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

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

Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

Father,
favorite son, siblings,
 plot to kill, sold into slavery

Landowner, servants, abuse,
murder of the owner's son.

Which one of the characters in today's readings
speaks most to you?

Joseph's brother spoke out against his siblings
as they plotted to kill their own brother.
Instead they sold him into slavery not knowing
 what his fate would be in the future.

Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

Later we will hear that God
 was taking care of Joseph from the very beginning.
Abandoned by his own flesh and blood
Joseph is the one who will end up saving his family from starvation.

These brothers were willing to not only get rid of their brother
but to wound the heart of their father.

They considered leaving Joseph in the bottom of the dry well.
In reality they themselves were already in the bottom of the pit.

Their hearts were more empty than the dry well.

The landowner in the gospel parable gave his tenants
everything they needed to be successful.

Is this sounding familiar?
God gives us everything we need to be the best we can be
and still we allowed him to be nailed to the cross.

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Even after his own son was brutally killed
the owner, for us God, continued his loving generosity.

...the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit.

Which group do you want to be a part of?
Are you someone who can produce fruit in your own life?

Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

Whenever you are faced with choices
then is the time to remember the marvels the Lord has done.

Recall the marvels the Lord has done as recounted in the scriptures
as well as in your own life.

Blessings come to you
 as you focus on the marvels of God.

Have you decided which person
 in today's readings speaks most to you?
One brother spoke out for Joseph's life; I hope
 I would be at least that bold.

~~~Peace~~~

Joyful Reunion

~~~ Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30 ~~~ Psalm 37 ~~~ Matthew 10:16-23 ~~~

I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;

so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.

Sheep are naive, simple, and trusting of their shepherd.

Jesus sent the apostles out, while they were still 

like innocent sheep.

When you are doing the work of the Lord 

there will be pain and suffering.

All of the family of Joseph was suffering.

His brothers can claim responsibility for instigating most of it.

They were jealous and selfish.

God promises to turn our mourning into dancing...

God did indeed turn the mourning of Joseph into joy

just to see his aging father once again.

God also brought joy into the heart of his father

at seeing Joseph once again.

Together father and son wept tears of joy.

Jesus sends out the apostles carrying his joy in their heart.

Jesus sends them out with a warning that they

 will be subjected to suffering.

He also gives them confidence to speak his message.

...do not worry about how you are to speak

or what you are to say.

You will be given at that moment what you are to say.

Joseph had this same experience when he saw standing 

before him his very own brothers.

They had not seen each other for many years now.

He had no way of searching for his beloved father.

He had no way of knowing if he was still alive.

For it will not be you who speak

but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Truly it was God who put the words into the mouth of Joseph.

God blessed Joseph, reuniting him with his father.

God led Joseph and all of his family into the land of Egypt.

He turned their mourning into dancing and joy.

God wants to do the same for you.

Whatever mourning you are currently experiencing,

turn to God he will turn it into joy.

Blessings of Joy

in the Lord.

~~~Peace~~~