24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 13th September 2020
Lectionary Readings
Genesis 50 v 15-21. Joseph forgives his brothers.
Romans 14 v 1-12. Don’t criticize others.
Matthew 18 v 21-35. An official who refuses to forgive.
Reluctance
In the Old Testament reading, the brothers of Joseph seem reluctant to ask his forgiveness for selling him off as a slave many years before.
It is only when their dying father (Jacob) urges them to do so, that they acknowledge their need and then seek forgiveness from Joseph.
Joseph’s response is both humble and generous. He forgives his brothers, forgets the bad times that he endured during his years as a slave, and praises God for his good fortune. God, he says, has turned bad into good; not only for him and his family, but also for all God’s chosen people.
At first glance, Paul appears to be talking about God’s love of vegetarians! God loves them every bit as much as any meat eater!
Paul is really talking about faith and how different people express their faith.
Paul points out that God is the only just judge.
We have no right to criticize others just because they express their faith in a different way to us.
As Paul says; “What right do you have to criticize someone else’s servants? Only their Lord can decide if they are doing right.”
Paul is suggesting that, as followers of Jesus, we should be reluctant to criticize and keen to forgive; not the other way round! (A challenge to all church communities, ours included.)
Jesus, on the other hand, is keen to emphasise the need for us to forgive others, countless times if necessary, in the same way as God forgives us.
No reluctance, simply love in action.
Thanks to Mike Peck for submitting these reflections