Lent: 3/17/09
March 17, 2009
Genesis 45:1-15
1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Mark 6:1-13
“Irish Luck”
And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. – Genesis 45: 5
What is often referred to, as the luck of the Irish is simply a willful refusal to be a victim of unfortunate circumstances. Like the proverb that says, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”, the luck of which we speak is not naiveté, but looking for opportunity in difficulty and using stumbling blocks as cornerstones of a new beginning.
Today on St. Patrick’s Day we consider Joseph as our honorary Irishman and model for looking for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Joseph had every reason to be angry with his brothers. Their jealousy had grown into a murderous plot that was only stopped first by Reuben’s pity and finally by an opportunity for a quick buck. Joseph had been sold to his family’s enemies. He had been carried off to a foreign land where he was sexually harassed, wrongfully accused, and falsely imprisoned. All of this had been his brothers’ fault.
But God had not forgotten Joseph, and had raised him from the bowels of prison to become second only to Pharaoh in Egypt. In this position of power and wealth Joseph could have executed any vengeance he could dream up on these men. Like a cat playing with a mouse, he showed them without a doubt that they were subject to his every whim. But pity, love, and deep theological reflection stayed his mighty hand and the history of God’s people was brought from the brink of extinction to a new chapter that would lead to the Exodus and the birth of Israel as a nation.
In his pain, Joseph was able to find mercy that gives new life. Later, another man named Joseph had the power to end another chapter of the story, but another dream gave him the vision to find opportunity in difficulty and a chance to use a stumbling block as a cornerstone of a new beginning.
This day we reflect on the pain in our present situations and see the glimmer of gold at the end of the rainbow as we consider the way the God can use even the most evil and awful circumstances to bring new life and expand the boundaries of the kingdom. Ours is the luck of the Irish. Ours is the luck of Joseph. Ours is the luck of the children of the Living God.
May God give you…
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer. AMEN.
(Traditional Irish Blessing)
