Genesis Series: chapter 37-50 Overview

 EXPLORING GENESIS SERIES:

the Bible: exploring Genesis series.

Chapter 37-50 Overview

The last chapters of the Book of Genesis from chapters 37-50 give us the story of Joseph and prepare us for the emigration of the Hebrews into Egypt.  Out of jealousy, Joseph is sold by his brother to Arab traders who sell him as a slave in Egypt.  

After various adventures in which appear Joseph’s wisdom and his trust in God’s providence, he becomes the trusted adviser of Pharaoh who makes him viceroy of Egypt. A famine, foreseen by the viceroy, brings Joseph’s brothers to Egypt where they hope to find corn.  Eventually Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and ensures that the tribe of Jacob is able to set itself up in the eastern part of the Nile delta, the fertile land of Goshen.  

This picturesque episode is a masterpiece of biblical literature.  Joseph is presented as the ideal wise man who allows himself to be guided by God., the account shows how God’s providence can turn men's actions, even their misdeeds, to good account, for the salvation of the people. (Gen 50:6)  

This just man who is persecuted is a figure of Christ, eternal wisdom, who, handled over by his brothers but saved by God, became the Saviour of the entire world.

The dramatisation of this story from Genesis by Andrew Lloyd Webber in ‘Joseph and amazing Technicolor Dream-Coat’ has assisted us to become more aware of the story with its various characters who demonstrate both good and inappropriate behaviour patterns.

Like the previous chapters in this series, it is good to reflect on each chapter and ponder its connection to our own lives.

Alternative Opening Prayer:23rd Sunday of Year C

Alternative Opening Prayer:

THE MASS: OPENING PRAYER SERIES.

The alternative Opening Prayer for 23^rd Sunday of the Year reads as follows:

Let us pray

(to our just and merciful God)

Lord our God

in You justice and mercy meet.

With unparalleled love You have saved us from death

and drawn us into the circle of Your life.

Open our eyes to the wonders this life sets before us,

that we may serve You free from fear 

and address You as God our Father.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS.

In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged.

1.            How is God just and merciful in my life?

2.            How does justice and mercy meet?

3.            What does it mean to me to be drawn into the circle of God's life?

4.            In what areas of my life am I blind to the wonders God's life sets before me?

5.            What are the fears that hinder me from serving You in my life this week?

6.            What is my relationship with Father God like?

I have already written a gospel reflection in my post 'Opening Prayer 23rd Sunday of the Year which you might like to peruse.  
If you would like to examine your relationship with Father God and need some uplifting resources to assist you, I can highly recommend the following

Opening Prayer: 23rd Sunday of Year C

OPENING PRAYER SERIES

THE MASS: OPENING PRAYER SERIES.

OPENING PRAYER

The Opening Prayer of 23rd Sunday of Year reads as follows:

Let us pray,

(that we may realise the freed God has given us

in making us His sons and daughters) 

God our Father,

You redeem us and make us Your children in Christ.

Look upon us,

give us true freedom,

and bring us to the inheritance You promise.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during this week, the following reflection questions emerged: 

1. What is the freedom God has given me?
2. What does it mean to me to a son/daughter of God?
3. How does being a son/daughter of God affect my daily life up to the present moment?
4. How might I reclaim my 'sonship' in Christ during this coming week?
5. What are the areas in my life that lack God's true freedom?
6. What steps will I take to develop these areas that are in need this coming week?
7. If God called me home to my inheritance today, would I be ready-why/why not? 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Today's Gospel is a challenging one, since it speaks of one the demands of true discipleship- renouncing one's possessions. It also challenges us to place our priorities in the right order- God must be first priority in our lives. If you wish to understand more about discipleship, you may wish to visit my 'practical theology-fruitful discipleship series.

This gospel is a timely reminder for those of us, like myself who 'keep things for a rainy day' or 'in case it might be needed'.  God does not expect us to be wasteful with our resources, but to use them wisely.  However, for someone like myself who finds it difficult to say goodbye to belongings, even though the possession has passed its use, this gospel is indeed a mighty challenge.

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Reflecting God's love

REFLECTION AND PRAYER SERIES.

CHRIST THE REDEEMER

Reflecting God's love

My reflection and prayer series is about sharing reflections and Prayers which have impacted upon me and have provided food for thought. I hope that they will also nurture your soul and spirit.

My post is called:

REFLECTING GOD'S LOVE

I cannot touch a heart for Christ
With doctrinal demands,

I cannot bring a soul to Him.

 With stinging reprimands

I cannot win a weary world 
And turn them to His way
Unless my life reflects His love
And mercy day to day.

How will YOU touch a heart for Christ during this coming week in your world?

“ He who Abides in Me, I in HIm bears much fruit”.

“ He who Abides in Me, I in HIm bears much fruit”.

The definitions given of the word ‘abide’ from the Oxford Dictionary is ‘
(a) To stay, to continue in a place; to dwell, sojourn; 
(b) to remain stable or fixed in some state;
(c) to wait for; to await expectantly; 
(d) to submit to face without shrinking.’

Therefore, when we submit our life to Jesus and allow Him to dwell and stay with us, we will bear much fruit. We will only bear much fruit if Jesus is living us, and we are co-operating and in right relationship with Christ.  For Jesus also says in the same passage from John 15:5 ‘Without Me you can do nothing’.

Bearing much fruit means that we need not only to be keeping the great commandment of love towards God and our neighbour, but also has submitted and committed our life to Christ.  In that context we can then face ourselves without shrinking.  In doing this, we are opened up to our strengths and weaknesses and in ‘Christ can overcome all that still belongs to darkness’.  If we stay close to Jesus, and of course naturally He is always close to us, we will produce Christian values that will attract others to the Christian way of living.

When God abides in us, it is the triune God, who dwells there- Father, Son and Spirit. The Father loves us as His sons/daughters, the Son, Jesus supports and intercedes, while the Spirit gives the grace and power required to bear much fruit.  

Without a relationship with God, we choose to follow our own dictates of his/her heart.  Luke 6:45 says about the heart: ‘Good people draw what is good from the store of goodness in their hearts; bad people draw what is bad from the store of badness. For the words of the mouth flow out of what fills the heart.’

‘Abiding’ therefore, is about ‘staying’, and ‘continuing’ in Christ, and remaining stable, yet also with expectancy.  In other words, when we abide in Christ, and He in us, we are more likely to be centred and grounded through the grace of the One who lives there. Scripture also says:

“For wherever your treasure is, that is where your heart will be too. (Luke 12:34)

Compendium Series: Understanding Apostolic Tradition Part 2

COMPENDIUM SERIES.

       

Understanding Apostolic Tradition Part 2

Last week, we explored the concept of Apostolic Tradition.  This week we explore further and ask:

13. In what ways does Apostolic Tradition occur? (CCC: 76)

Compendium states:

Apostolic Tradition occurs in 2 ways: through the living transmission of the word of God (also simply called Tradition) and through Scripture which is the same proclamation of salvation in written form.

What does this mean for me?

I am responding to the living transmission of the word of God when I listen well to a homily, that is preaching.

I am responding to the living transmission of the word of God when I give appropriate witness.

Questions to consider:

1.            What is the value of Sacred Scripture in my life?

2.      How often do I use scripture to assist me to prepare for Sacrament of Reconciliation or for Sunday Mass ( or daily Mass)

3.            What does salvation really mean for me?

Stay tuned next week:the relationship between Tradition and  Sacred Scripture.

Liturgy of the Word: First Reading Part 2.

ABOUT THE MASS.

 

THE MASS: ABOUT THE MASS ICON.

Liturgy of the Word: First Reading Part 2.

Some time ago, I went to Mass at a different Church. On my return journey, thinking I desperately needed a couple of Panadols’ to get over the experience, I tried to recall the readings at Mass. It was a rude awakening- my mind was totally blank. 

This experience proved valuable, as I realised how blessed we are when we hear the Word of God proclaimed well, and as I pondered: how can I practice and adapt the Readings and Gospel to my life during the coming week when I could not recall any part of them at all?

So, what about you? 

·                      Do you remember any part of the First Reading- a line, a phrase which spoke to you as the lector proclaimed it?  

·                     Do you prepare for Mass during the week by reflecting on the readings?

·                     What resolve do you have when you hear Christ in his Word speak to you?

What about our response to the readings?    

The Lector completes the reading, says: ‘This is the Word of the Lord’, and then pauses for silent reflection. It is a great opportunity to recall what has been proclaimed and its implication for your life during the week.  We as a congregation reply: ‘Thanks be to God’.

So what does this little response with so much significance mean to you?

Perhaps, on some Sundays it will have a different meaning for you. With all the responses at Mass, we can be caught saying them without thinking. Perhaps on the Sunday in question mentioned above it had another meaning for me!

Whenever we meet Christ in his Word and hear it proclaimed, let our hearts as well as our lips say 

‘Thanks be to God’