Holy Monday (April 29th)

Joseph and the Fig Tree

Remember last night at Bridegroom Matins, we heard about the story of Joseph and Jesus' parable of the Fig Tree? Well today we'll talk more about them.

Joseph

This is the same Joseph with the "coat of many colors." 

No, not the singing, dancing Joseph!

He was the 11th son of Jacob (also known as Israel). Joseph's brothers were extremely jealous of him because their father seemed to love Joseph best of all. One day Joseph's brothers took him and sold him to a band of slavers who then sold him into slavery in Egypt. There he worked for a high ranking official, who's wife wrongly accused Joseph and so her was thrown into prison. While in prison he began to interpret the dreams of some of the prisoners. Word of his abilities spread so far that when the Pharaoh himself was troubled with a dream, he asked Joseph to interpret. The Pharaoh then made Joseph his right hand man, governor of Egypt in charge of the people's care.

Want to read the whole story? You can find it in Genesis 37;39-41.

Why Joseph? Well, Joseph's story is taken as one of the earliest symbol's of Christ's suffering and resurrection. Joseph was mistreated by his brothers, enslaved and imprisoned, but in the end he rose to one of highest offices in Egypt and was able to help the Egyptians, and his own family, through a tough famine. Jesus will be mistreated, denied, and finally crucified, but in the end he will rise again and save all mankind.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

When Jesus was walking with his disciples he found that he was hungry and so he stopped beside a fig tree to get some of its fruit, but he found that the tree was bare--it had no fruit! Immediately the fig tree shriveled up and died. (Mat. 24: 3-35) This tree was a symbol of those who, though they might appear outwardly to have faith, but they do not show the necessary fruits of virtue and righteousness, so they die. It is a reminder to all of us.

We also hear the first parts of the stories of some other well known figures from the Old Testament: Moses and Job. 

Why Moses and Job? 

Well, Moses is the one who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (where they ended up at the end of Joseph's story). He delivered his people, just like Christ delivered us from slavery to sin and death. 

Job is the ultimate symbol of suffering, as we read that though he was blessed by God with many children, much land, and much wealth, he lost everything and yet never lost his faith in God.

We'll hear more about Moses and Job tomorrow.

It's all about Bible stories for the next few days!

Sorry, we have no picture's from today's liturgy. =( 

Tonight's service:

Bridegroom Matins:
St. George Lawrence - 7PM
St. George South Glens Falls - 5PM

Hope to see you there!

For Parents:

You can use the Scripture readings during Holy Week as your kid's bedtime stories. It involves them in what's going on in the Church even if they cannot be part of the services.