Marriage Retreat, Priestfield, WV

March 1, 2013

JOSEPH THE FAVORITE +++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø This morning I want to focus on the first reading from Genesis

Ø The context is that Jacob has twelve sons by different women

Ø We have to remember, of course, that this took place in ancient times and in another culture

Ø Monogamy or having just one spouse was not the law or morality of the land

Ø At any rate, Jacob clearly favors his son Joseph because his mother, Rachael, is Jacob’s favorite wife and Joseph is born in Jacob’s old age

JEALOUSY ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø Jacob’s other eleven sons are jealous of Joseph

Ø Today we hear the lengths to which their jealousy carries them

Ø This leads me to two reflections or insights on jealousy

FOCUS ON WHAT YOU HAVE ++++++++++++++++++++

Ø First, it is always helpful and always a good spiritual practice to focus on what we have instead of on what we do not have

Ø This is always an important way to express our gratitude to God

Ø In fact, some prayer of thankfulness is important each day

Ø It is especially helpful as a way to deal with feelings of jealousy

Ø It can keep jealousy in place and in control

SHARE YOUR FEELINGS +++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø And second, Joseph’s brothers would have done well to express their jealousy and resentment to their father

Ø Jesus tells us: “If there is something between you and another, go first to that person and try to get reconciled”

Ø So often issues can get resolved this way

Ø Had Jacob’s other sons done this, they may well have worked out the problem and their feelings would never have gotten to the destructive level

CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø So, a classic Old Testament story leads us to some reflections that remain always valid

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