There used to be a show on television called “Family Feud “. Like all live TV there were always surprises among the family members when they commented to answers questions. Sometimes those answers could funny or very embarrassing. Family can have strange relationships. You have to love them but sometimes those relationships are difficult. We all have our stories.
Here is one of mine. My parents were living in Florida. And because it was winter one of my many uncles and aunts from up North had come to visit. I was home on break from college. We had eaten and we were talking and I had recounted the story of my sister’s dance classes when she was a young girl. I had the family in stitches laughing. I would run and jump across the room and perform my rendition of her dance moves. My sister was the only one in the room who was not laughing.
Being the ham that I am still known to be, I had to get one last laugh. I wanted a long runway for my moves and I stepped back and put my foot through the door……… Total silence in room.
The laughter that everyone experience now turned to shock and horror. They all thought my father was going to beat me within an inch of my life. There was only one person it the room that had a smile on her face and that was my sister, Patti.
As it turned out my uncle was a woodworking craftsmen. He reversed the door on its hinges, patched the hole and rehung the door. The hole was in the back and unseen with the door open to my parent’s living room.
Years later after my mom and dad died, we sold her house and gave the story of the door to the new owner who we knew.
Joseph has difficult relationships with his brothers, some wanted to kill him and Reuben wanted to save him and come back to the well that they had placed him. Much like my family story, Joseph’s story changed later in Egypt. Circumstances changed for both Joseph and my sister.
Joseph and his brother’s reconciled later in scripture. Israel would later find his lost son. This is the positive fruit Jesus spoke.
In the Gospel Jesus says “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes. Therefore, I say to you the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
Rhetorically I ask the question from today’s readings. What I am I doing to build the Kingdom of God? Do my relationships with family and friends produce dissension or positive results. Does it produce forgiveness and healing? This is something to think about today and all through Lent both with family, friends and neighbors.
God love You Always
Bob Burford
PS Please pray for my neighbor Sue who in her last hours in hospice and my sister, Patti, who has cancer in her kidneys.
