August 20, 2020

Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

Pericope (per-rick-oh-pee) is a word that describes a sentence or portion of scripture.  Sometimes you can get all you need to reflect on God through a pericope.  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself."  You could sit with that for a while.  The context and references would be helpful, but that pericope gives you much to think about.  

I have asked you to engage in a text over the last three days.  To pull a phrase or sentence out of the story of Joseph and his brothers would miss the fuller context.  Much of the Bible is made up of narrative stories that are best understood when taken as a whole.  

What do you think you gleaned from reading Genesis 43-49 in its entirety?  There is tension and drama.  As we read we wonder what Joseph will choose to do.  He was wronged by his brother.  Now that he is in a seat of power will he exact his revenge?  Can you feel the emotions of a father?  The jealousy of the brothers?  The distinct differences of the Egyptian way of life?  The guiding principles of Joseph's faith?  When Joseph finally revealed who he was to his brothers, could you hear the weeping echoing and feel the embraces?  One who was lost was now found.  One who had died was now alive.  

The sons of Israel would become the twelve tribes.  This story of losing and finding would continue through the generations, just as it continues in our story today.  When we take time to read the whole story, we can witness the way God is at work pulling us closer when we have faded apart.  

Maybe there is someone you would like to call and talk with about these readings from Genesis.  And maybe this story will give you insights into your life and God's presence as we continue to live God's story.

Peace,
Dean