Two Josephs are with us this season—the patriarch and the husband of Mary. The Saturday readings about Joseph in Genesis blend with those in the Gospels relating with Joseph, foster father of Jesus. Both receive directions from God through dreams; both go to Egypt; both are “just men” of the Lord.

Enter into the scene of the Annunciation to Joseph. Imagine his pain before the intervention of the angel. Mary is pregnant by someone else. Just as for the patriarch, Joseph, Mary’s husband moves beyond being a victim of circumstances. He is more concerned for Mary’s well-being than for his own condition. God can work wonders with those who die to self.

Meditate upon Joseph as he falls asleep in anguish; be with him in the wonder of his waking.

Matthew 1:18–23

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Being righteous as Joseph. v. 19

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year A, we generally read from the Gospel of St. Matthew.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

The story of the Patriarch, Joseph, draws our attention to Joseph, husband of Mary. Both were addressed by God through dreams; both went to Egypt as a result of attempts on life—the patriarch Joseph himself, and Jesus.

The chapter sets the stage for God to use a victim of fraternal strife to become the means of salvation for his brothers. Joseph anticipates Jesus. The leaders of God’s own people complete the attempt on Jesus’s life by Herod years later; the scribes and Pharisees collectively have the same power and arrogance of Herod.

The betrayal of Joseph by his brothers is not unlike that of Judas, and the denial of Peter. However, the victory will come in Joseph’s fidelity to his God and Jesus’s adherence to the Father.

How does this reading touch you and move you to trust what God is doing in your life no matter what may be coming against you?

Genesis 37

This is the first of three parts in the Torah portion for today. The remaining two parts will occur in years B and C.
The entire portion,Vayeshev (And He Settled) is as follows:
Genesis 37:1—40:23

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Grateful to those who love me v. 21

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 3.

In the middle of this week that is itself the middle of Advent, there comes a cry in the midst of enemy territory. John the Baptist could have groaned this psalm from his prison cell. Christians, Jews, and Muslims persecuted today around the world can do the same. Strengthen their prayer by binding yourself to them with these words of salvation.

May your inner conviction of this psalm ring out with the same deep resounding toll of a great bell. The emptier and darker the night, the more the clarion-call of God’s salvation can silence those taunting, tempting voices that may be keeping you fretfully, frightfully awake. Be assured of God’s salvation upon your life as you sleep in peace and rise in confidence.

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: You lift up my head, O Lord. v. 3

We read the Psalms in numerical order.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information