Scripture is always a reminder that human nature does not change. Along with the saints and prophets are many sinners. Jealousy abounds along with selflessness, like the weeds growing amid the wheat. In today’s reading, we are reminded of one of the oldest of sins: the envy that divides families. Joseph’s brothers are jealous of him because their father loved him “best of all his sons” (v. 3). This darkness grows in their breasts until one day they resolve to do away with him. Yet, God had plans for Joseph. As we shall read later in Genesis, the boy the brothers despised becomes their savior when famine strikes.
It sometimes is hard to like a difficult brother or sister. The fault may be theirs, or it may be in us. In such situations, our response must not be hatred but prayer that God may heal that wound and repair that breach as he did for Joseph.
Exodus 32:1-10, 19, 30-32, “The people saw that Moses took a long time to come down from the mountain. So they gathered around Aaron. They said to him, “Come. Make us a god that will lead us. This fellow Moses brought us up out of Egypt. But we don’t know what has happened to him.” Aaron answered them, “Take the gold earrings off your wives, your sons and your daughters. Bring the earrings to me.” So all the people took off their earrings. They brought them to Aaron. He took what they gave him and made it into a metal statue of a god. It looked like a calf. Aaron shaped it with a tool. Then the people said, “Israel, here is your god who brought you up out of Egypt.” When Aaron saw what they were doing, he built an altar in front of the calf. He said, “Tomorrow will be a feast day to honor the Lord.” So the next day the people got up early. They sacrificed burnt offerings and brought friendship offerings. They sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to dance wildly in front of their god. The Lord spoke to Moses. He said, “Go down. Your people you brought up out of Egypt have become very sinful. They have quickly turned away from what I commanded them. They have made themselves a metal statue of a god in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down and sacrificed to it. And they have said, ‘Israel, here is your god who brought you up out of Egypt.’ “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses. “They are stubborn. Now leave Me alone. I will destroy them because of My great anger. Then I will make you into a great nation……. As Moses approached the camp, he saw the calf. He also saw the people dancing. So he was very angry. He threw the tablets out of his hands. They broke into pieces at the foot of the mountain…….The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin. But now I will go up to the Lord. Maybe if I pray to Him, He will forgive your sin.” So Moses went back to the Lord. He said, “These people have committed a terrible sin. They have made a god out of gold for themselves. Now please forgive their sin. But if you won’t, then erase my name out of the book You have written.” *** The Word of the Lord! *** Thanks be to God! *** Amen ✝️
As the old prayer says: Oh, Mary, CONCEIVED WITHOUT SIN, pray for us who have recourse to thee - Amen.
"The family that prays together, stays together, and if they stay together they will love one another as God has loved each one of them. And works of love are always works of peace." St. Teresa of Calcutta
AMEN!
Amen!
Amen.
Praying for the Pope. Praying for immigrants, for workers losing their jobs, and for the poor, hungry and sick across the world who are in need of food and medical aid. Praying for Ukraine and its people.
My prayer "Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given us - for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. O most merciful redeemer, friend, and brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, for your own sake. (prayer of St. Richard of Chichester, 13th century) " Amen
Amen!
Actually we are all sinners I don't care who you are and how many good works you have done! There is only one person who is sinless in Scripture and there is no other...my Lord and my God, Jesus Christ ✝️ *** Romans 3:10, "It is written, “No one is right with God, no one at all!" *** Romans 3:23, "Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory!" *** Romans 5:12, "Sin entered the world because one man sinned. And death came because of sin. Everyone sinned, so death came to all people!" ******* We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners! BUT GOD, the Good News of Jesus Christ ✝️ *** Romans 5:8, "But here is how God has shown hHs love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!" *** Romans 3:24-25ab, "The free gift of God’s grace makes us right with Him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free. God gave Christ as a sacrifice to pay for sins through the spilling of His blood. So God forgives the sins of those who have faith. God did all this to prove that He does what is right. He is a God of mercy!" *** John 3:16-18, "God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son. Anyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world. He sent His Son to save the world through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not judged. But anyone who does not believe is judged already. They have not believed in the Name of God’s One and only Son (Jesus)!" ✝️
*** BTW, here is what Mary said Luke 1:46, "And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!" *** Why did she say that she has a "Savior?" *** Either Luke heard Mary incorrectly, he wrote it down incorrectly or nothing is true in Scripture!!!
Irene, I am not arguing with you and you don't have to tell me twice... you tell that to God and you can argue with Him! I am not the one who say that, God did..."No one is righteous—not even one! Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory!" *** Either God is lying or He is not really God!!! Hmmm.......
The Blessed Virgin Mary is the other person in Scripture who is sinless.
03/20/25 ******* Starting a 40-day prayer journal specifically for my daughter, Katie, the self proclaim agnostic to come back and walk with Jesus, her Savior and soon to be Lord ✝️ *** Day twelve – Psalm 86:4-6, “Bring joy to me. Lord, I put my trust in You. Lord, You are forgiving and good. You are full of love for all who call out to You. Lord, hear my prayer. Listen to my cry for mercy!” ✝️ *** Lord God, You are abounding in forgiveness and mercy and goodness and kindness that I cannot fully comprehend! Have mercy on us, especially Katie! *** As I sit in regret and guilt over past sin, You remind me of Your forgiveness! Please let me feel Your mercy! Let Katie feel Your mercy! Fill me with mercy so I can give it to others I encounter today! Walk closely with my family so they can know Your Grace! Left up their burdens and point their faces toward You! I give You thanks for the grace we do not deserve and Your mercies which are new every morning! By Your Grace and for Your Glory! Amen ✝️
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In general, doctrine is all Church teaching in matters of faith and morals. Dogma is more narrowly defined as that part of doctrine which has been divinely revealed and which the Church has formally defined and declared to be believed as revealed. I loved how Fr Mike Schmidt said: Truly loving Mary will never lessen our faith in God, or take attention away from Jesus Christ. Here’s why: Four Marion Dogmas 1. Mary the Mother of God 2. The Immaculate Conception: Jesus preserved Mary from all state of original sin by merits of his future life death and resurrection. 3. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven 4. The professor of the virginity of Mary Loving Mary is supposed to increase our love for Jesus more. Mary plays a role in the redemption of the world. Peter played a role in the redemption of the world The person who brought you to Jesus played a role in the redemption of the world. We’re not taking anything from Jesus. To Jesus through Mary I say this prayer every night The Memorare of St Bernard Remember , O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection implored they help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly onto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother, to thee I come, before thee I stand sinful and sorrowful . O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me . Amen