Both of today’s readings tell the story of rejection. In the first reading from Genesis, Joseph is rejected by his other brothers. His brothers “hated him” out of jealously because his father loved “Joseph best out of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age.” Their jealousy and hatred grew so strong that while they at first plotted to kill their own brother they ended up selling him to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. Though rejected and hated by his brothers Joseph became their source of food and salvation when a great famine struck all the land.
In today’s Gospel we hear the story of the rejection of Jesus as some plot to kill him. Joseph in the first reading, though rejected by his brothers, becomes the literal source of bread for them and thus becomes their savior. Jesus in an even deeper sense is the Bread of Life for all of us and the true Savior of the world. Jesus is also rejected. He challenges us to read the scriptures to discern the true ways of God which are ofttimes different from my first impulse or gut reaction.
“Did you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes.’” (Psalm 118).
Reflecting on this Psalm reminds us that God’s ways are not always our ways. God’s way of “doing things” might not be the way we would suggest. Praying this psalm, challenges me to ask myself if I am on the side of the builders or on the side of the Lord? Would I have rejected Jesus? We are then challenged to follow the way of God and to recognize that this rejected stone is now the cornerstone. God is the rock of our true security and Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith life.
Image: “Egypt-5B-035 – Komombo Temple” by archer10 (Dennis) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.