February 11                                                  Genesis 37:  1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:  1-19

                                                                                                Mark 1:  1-13

 

 

Genesis 37 – Joseph’s Dreams – Joseph was considered the favorite son of his father, Israel and his brothers hated Joseph because of this.  In this passage, Joseph had a dream in which his grain sheaf rose and his brothers’ sheaves bowed down to it.  In a second dream, the sun, the moon and eleven stars were bowing to him.  Upon sharing his dreams, his brothers were more jealous of him.  His father, although upset, “kept the matter in mind”. 

 

1 Corinthians – Paul, the apostle, writes – “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”   He then mentions three subjects.  Thanksgiving:  to thank God for the grace given in Jesus.  Division in the Church:  An appeal to agree with one another to be united in mind and thought, in the name of Jesus.  Christ the Wisdom and Power of God:  Where it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

 

Mark 1 – John the Baptist – Isaiah, the profit, wrote, “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way…”  John came, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

 

Reflection:

In these three passages, I see the theme of strength.  In Genesis 37, I see strength shown by Joseph, in the sharing of his dreams, despite being abused by his brothers and, ultimately, being sold into slavery by them.  In 1 Corinthians, I see strength in Paul encouraging unity in beliefs, even though there is some frustration as a result of those beliefs.  In Mark 1, I see strength shown by John, when he preaches to the masses of disbelievers and was, ultimately, imprisoned for his faith. 

 

My belief is strong, even though I have questions and doubts.  I have received strength and comfort from my faith and my uncertainty and questions keep me searching for greater understanding and growing in faith.

 

These passages also provide us with the assurance that, as God was there for John, Joseph and Paul, God is here with us now and will continue to be with us until the end of time.  This knowledge helps give me the strength to carry on.

 

 

~ Jan Smith