Envy and Hatred
GENESIS 49:29-33, 50:15-26; PSALM 105; MATTHEW 10:24-38
In the first reading Joseph said to his brothers “God has turned the evil you planned into good”. The story of Joseph reflects the crisis in most families; envy, hatred, and devilish attack. Joseph was a just man and so the Lord delivered him. Psalm 34:19 says “Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But the Lord delivers him out of them all” and Rom. 8:28 says “…all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Let us learn to love God even in the midst of trials. He will turn the counsels of the wicked into foolishness and their evil plots into blessings for you.
The Gospel further prepares our minds on what it means to face persecution. Jesus says in the gospel, “do not be afraid”. Fear is one of the most popular weapons the enemy uses against the children of God. Fear can overwhelm us with a thick shadow of darkness, controlling every move and decision we make. Again, Jesus says “a disciple is not above is teacher, nor a slave above his master.” Therefore, “if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they malign those of his household!” We should not be discouraged when men persecute us or say all sorts of things against us. Even Jesus experienced same. Thus he says; “nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known”. In God’s time, the truth shall be revealed and your faithfulness shall be justified.
LET US PRAY
Father, give us the grace to persevere in the days of trials. Fill our hearts with the joy of victory and turn every plan of the wicked into good; turn their evil desire to favour for us; turn their evil affliction to promotion and like Jospeh may our story end in glory.
