In today's Matthew reading we get two different banquets. The first banquet is Herod's. The second is Jesus' banquet. Herod's birthday banquet is not for the crows, who he fears. His banquet is for the invited guests and company. In contrast Jesus' feeding of the five thousand is a banquet for everyone. Herod's banquet features a young woman dancing, while Jesus' banquet's features healing. Sadly, Herod's banquet closes with the head of John the Baptist on a platter, while the feeding of the Five-Thousand ends with extra baskets of food and everyone having eaten. These are two strikingly different banquets. One is a model of greed, and the other is a model of Eucharist.
Similarly, we can contrast the actions of Joseph in meeting his estranged brothers with their treatment of him. As you may recall, Joseph dreams of greatness and then his brothers sell him into slavery. In today's reading Joseph interprets the dreams of the pharaoh and then goes about reconciling with his brothers. At first this reconciliation is hard to see. Why would he pretend he does not know them? Why would he set his brothers up for failure? It may be that Joseph is upset. However, it is more likely that Joseph is trying to get to know his brothers who he has not seen for over twenty years. Joseph places his brothers in character revealing situations so that he can learn about them. He learns about them so that he can orchestrate a robust and successful reconciliation. The proof of these intentions is in the chapters to come and is something to look forward to. Keep reading!
The Rev. Spencer B. Potter
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
Similarly, we can contrast the actions of Joseph in meeting his estranged brothers with their treatment of him. As you may recall, Joseph dreams of greatness and then his brothers sell him into slavery. In today's reading Joseph interprets the dreams of the pharaoh and then goes about reconciling with his brothers. At first this reconciliation is hard to see. Why would he pretend he does not know them? Why would he set his brothers up for failure? It may be that Joseph is upset. However, it is more likely that Joseph is trying to get to know his brothers who he has not seen for over twenty years. Joseph places his brothers in character revealing situations so that he can learn about them. He learns about them so that he can orchestrate a robust and successful reconciliation. The proof of these intentions is in the chapters to come and is something to look forward to. Keep reading!
The Rev. Spencer B. Potter
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
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