As we read, we worship together:
Let’s take this time to centre ourselves, and turn our full attention to God. Amidst our busy lives, and our concerns and worries, let us dedicate this time to pause, slow down, listen, and pray. Take a moment to visualize casting off your worries like a sweater on a hot day… and set your focus to a time of worship, a time of fellowship, a time for stillness.
Opening prayer:
O God, we gather as a family of faith. Be with us in this time of
worship and learning. No matter who we are, you call us together, and we’re
glad to be part of your family! Even
when we disagree, we are still part of your family. We know it is your hope and
desire that we will get along with one another. Help us to work together to be
one. As people of God, let us open our minds to God’s teachings, and unite our
hearts in worshipping God. Amen.
Hymn: #402 – We Are One
Scripture Readings:
Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133
Reflection:
A rock polishing machine is used to smooth the rough edges off of
rocks, making them shiny and allowing their true beauty to show. Sometimes the
process of learning can be a lot like that, too. Sometimes learning can be a
struggle as we bounce against each other, rubbing off our rough edges, allowing
our true selves to emerge. Learning is a life-long pursuit, never rosy, but
always an exciting journey. Through Christ, our goal is to find harmony with
God, each other and all creation.
After many trials and adventures, Joseph has become very successful. He has risen in the Pharaoh’s court to be in charge of storehouses of grain. It is because of his position and the famine in the land that Joseph’s brothers have come to him, although they do not realize who he is. Joseph, however, has recognized his brothers and it is a very emotional scene when he reveals himself to them.
Somehow, Joseph is able to see God’s purpose in all that has happened to him. Through the actions of others, both positive and negative, God’s plan for his life has been carried out, he believes. It is easy to dismiss this as twenty-twenty hindsight; nevertheless, Joseph’s declaration of faith is important. It enables him to let go of past hurts and to reunite with his brothers. The Joseph they knew as a boy is, in fact, dead. He is no longer the whiny tattletale or the arrogant dreamer of glory. His time in exile has transformed him. He now lives as a person who has power and authority and uses it well.
Forgiveness and charity set us free from all the things that separate
and divide us. That is what the reading from Genesis reinforces. Joseph's
brothers expect him to take revenge when they realize he is still alive, but he
instead offers forgiveness and in so doing restores the familial relationship
that was broken. After Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and forgives
them, they are once again – or perhaps for the first time – united as a family.
In the psalm such unity is described in extravagant terms: like the blessing
that comes from the sacred oil used in ordination, and like dew on the
mountains which refreshes and nourishes the lands round about. So is true
harmony among human beings.
Can you think of divisions, hurts, and strife in your life that could be healed and mended? Is it within your power to grant forgiveness to others, healing a relationship? Forgiveness is a relief not only to the person who has done wrong, but also to the one who was wronged. To shed that heavy burden that we carry, that burden of resentment and conflict and bitterness, is a gift we can give ourselves when we forgive, truly forgive, someone who has wronged us.
Living together as the human family has never been easy, right from the days of the Garden of Eden. Even living together in small families, within the human family, has many difficulties and challenges. Daily we are re-forming new relationships and perceiving old barriers that need to be broken down, in order that God’s vision of wholeness (Shalom) comes to all the earth.
Our world still has much to learn about how to treat each other and about how-to live-in harmony. Our hope lies in Christ who has shown us the way. Amen
Joys and concerns:
Take this moment to think of those people that you know are having
struggling – whether it be physically, emotionally, financially, or in other
ways. Hold them in your mind and heart as you pray:
Prayers of the People:
Gracious God,
We pray for our world and for all of creation that there might be
renewal and healing.
We pray for leaders in our world. May their decisions be wise and kind.
May our communities flourish with new visions.
We pray for all those we have concern for and name them now before
you….
May healing and compassion surround them all.
For all the blessings of our lives, receive our thanks.
May your love flow through us into the world.
God help us to remember and work for your dream for our world. May we
not give in to fear, but work for justice and peace.
We pray in Jesus’ name the words he taught us:
The Lord’s Prayer:
Hymn: #679 – Let There be Light
Closing Prayer:
Thank you, God, for lips to praise you, hands to serve you, and hearts
to love you.
Let us go into the world using all our resources to create healing and
harmony in our relationships and our community. Amen.
Resources used & Prayers courtesy of:
The Whole People of God™ Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing
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