An Instrument in God's Hands

In today's first reading, Genesis 37: 3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a, we are presented with the story of Joseph, the youngest son of Israel whom Israel loved above all his sons and treated him as his favorite child.  Joseph's brothers grew to hate Joseph and, when Israel sent him to join them in the pasture where they were tending the sheep, they plotted to kill him. Reuben talked them out of doing so and suggested they sell him to Ishmaelites passing by on their way to Egypt. In the Gospel, Mt 21: 33-43, 45-46, we are given the parable of a landowner who planted a vineyard and leased it out to tenants.  At the time of the harvest he sent his servants to collect the produce.  The tenants beat some of the servants and killed others. So the owner sent his only son, believing that he would be respected and the produce given to him. "No!" They also killed the son.

We may respond in disbelief! However, how often have we, behind another's back, spoken ill of another person. Though we may not have plotted to commit murder, we may have "murdered" that person with harsh words and and damning judgments!   Concerning today's Scriptures, we know that God brought good out of both situations. Ruben saves Joseph from being put to death by his brothers and, in turn, Joseph, who was sold to the Israelites on their way to Egypt,  saved his brothers and his father from dying of starvation during a severe famine that hit that area. The son killed by the tenants in the parable Jesus tells the Pharisees is a foreshadow of Jesus being put to death on Calvary.

The questions I need to ponder are: Who am I in these Scripture readings? Israel playing favorites? Joseph who is given special treatment and thus hated by others denied the same favors? one of Joseph's brothers jealous of others, speaking ill of others, plotting against others? Am I a Reuben who intervenes for the sake of others? Am I one of the tenants intent on stealing the produce entrusted to me by another and resorting to whatever it takes to get what I want?  Or am I an upright, honest person, following Jesus' example?

Simeon and Anna Recognize the Infant as Jerusalem's Deliverance

In today’s Gospel, Luke 2: 22-35, Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple to be circumcised. Mary herself goes through the ritual of purification.  As she and Joseph enter the Temple, Simeon and Anna are led by the Spirit into the Temple as well.  It has been revealed to Simeon that he will not see death until he sees the Christ, the Anointed One, the One who is the deliverance of Jerusalem.  Both Anna and Simeon recognize Jesus as the Savior of the world, the One who will be a Light to pagans and believers alike

How is sit that Simeon and Anna are given this privilege of recognizing the Lord?  Both are faith-filled persons.  Simeon we are told is an upright, devout man, one who was looking forward to Israel’s comforting and who readily followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Anna is also a devout woman, has never left the Temple day or night. She, too, prepared herself for this great day. Once we recognized Jesus, she made Him known to others.

In what ways do I prepare myself to recognize Jesus among us? And when I do recognize Him, how do I proclaim Him to others? Am I looking forward to encountering Jesus each day in the encounters I will have, in the requests  to help out the needy in  my midst?  And like Anna, do I give witness to Him by my attitudes and behaviors?

Help me, Lord, to  live an upright and a devout life as did both Anna and Simeon and be prepared today to encounter you in the events of the day. Forgive me for the many times I do not recognize you in the needs that are brought to my attention  each day: the need to be recognized, the need to be received with joy, gratitude and openness.