Gen 45:4-5 Who’s Your Favorite?

Thursday if the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

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By SOPHIE DRUFFNER

“Come closer to me,” he told his brothers.

When they had done so, he said:

“I am your brother Joseph, whom you once sold into Egypt.

But now do not be distressed,

and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here.

It was really for the sake of saving lives

that God sent me here ahead of you.”

“Mommy, who’s your favorite?” “I don’t have a favorite, sweetie. I love you all in equal measures.” “No, really. Everyone has a favorite. Who’s your favorite?” “Okay, fine,” declared my mum, laughing. “It’s Bear.” “WHAT? You weren’t supposed to admit it.” “Honey, I just said that. I love you all in equal measures.” “Liar,” I muttered to myself, under my breath. “Everyone has a favorite.”

There’s always so much competition in a house of four sisters. One of our biggest battles is height. Two of my younger sisters are now taller than me, and it looks like the youngest will follow their lead. There’s nothing anyone can do to be naturally taller, as far as I know, but my younger sisters can endlessly get enjoyment out of going up to me, stopping, and then taking their hand, placing it on top of their head, and then moving it in a straight horizontal line straight over mine. “Ha-ha, how cute! She’s so much shorter than me.” Then, the old joke, “How’s the weather down there?” Never has a different of so little meant so much.

Then there’s the distribution of talent. My sister who’s a year younger than me, I’ll call her Katherine, always jokes with me that we (she and I) were the trial set. We were the ones that my mum tried Chinese math classes, orchestra, advanced classes, soccer,, spelling bees, writing competitions, ballet, and piano lessons out with. Then, the other set, I’ll call them Banana and Bear, had the benefit of their two older sisters being the experiment children. They got the hand-me-down clothes, less responsibility, and better education. For whatever reason, they have also proved to be more talented in music and much more coordinated in sports than Katherine and I ever were. We’re not jealous; we’re proud. I’m just stating the facts.

And of course, with any sisters, there’s the looks and the clothes.  I won’t go into that, but it’s amazing the different metabolisms, heights, skinniness, and of course, the styles, of four sisters. The most important thing I’ve learned is to be very careful when you ask “Does this look good?” or “Do I look fat?” Families have brutal levels of honesty, especially sisters, who can care less about your feelings when you want the truth.

So I can totally imagine how everyone was jealous of Joseph. He was the baby of the family, probably much better looking than his brothers, and he had that super awesome colored coat to wear! Of course I think his brothers took it WAY too far to send him into slavery like they did, but look at what came out of it--God led Joseph to be a trusted advisor to the King, and eventually Joseph prevented his family from starving in the famine.

How loving Joseph must have been to reveal his identity and rejoice with his brothers! How he must have prayed and meditated to eradicated any harsh feelings he may have felt towards them. I don’t know if I would have been able to do that, but Joseph must have had huge help from God to reunite with his family. And I’m glad he did. His story can help families all over the world get rid of the jealousy which taints their bonds and become exactly the families that Christ always intended them to be.

Gn 41:17-24 The Sin of Envy

Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
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By Benedict Augustine

 

“‘Alas, we are being punished because of our brother.  We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us,

yet we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has now come upon us.’”

 

Great men will elicit two different reactions from the people around them: admiration or envy. Those with a humble disposition will welcome the great man and show admiration. They will elevate that individual to his proper place and seek to imitate his virtues. In contrast, proud people will envy the great man. They will downplay his virtues—even to the point of putting virtue itself into doubt—and find a way to eliminate him.

The book of Genesis features many such examples of great men suffering at the hands of envious people. To name a few: Cain envied his brother Abel; Hagar and Sarah envied one another in turn; and Esau envied Jacob and vice versa. Now, unsurprisingly, all of Jacob’s older children envy their younger brother Joseph. Joseph has won the attention of his father and God, receiving a colorful coat from the former and prophetic dreams from the latter.

Joseph’s brothers, proud men who felt entitled to this kind of attention by virtue of their age and superior numbers, “hated him so much that they could not even say a kind word to him” (Gn 37:4). Envy fueled their hatred causing them to hate not what he did, but who he was. Joseph made them feel inadequate, less significant, less loved; like all envious people, they projected this frustration outwardly instead of reflecting on it inwardly. Thus, they dump him in a well before thinking better of it and selling him as a slave to their cousins, the Ishmaelites.

Remorse for this brutal action comes much later when they must migrate into Egypt for food because of famine in their homeland. They must supplicate the governor of Egypt, who happens to be their despised brother Joseph whom they fail to recognize, for a ration of bread. As the circumstances change so does their attitude. Begging for mercy themselves causes them to think of people asked the same mercy of them, like their younger brother so many years ago.

At that moment, they finally realize that envy drove their actions and made them lesser men than their brother. This truth, brought on by God, them and leads to their repentance.

At the same time, God does opposite for Joseph, exulting him even higher.Joseph enjoyed his father and God’s favors before, but it is here that he reallyproves his greatness. He has the perfect opportunity to avenge himself on his brothers, yet he does not even think of this. When he hears Rueben and his brothers repent of their action, he cries and makes plans to forgive them.

For this reason, Joseph serves as a type prefiguring Jesus. Like Joseph, Jesus must suffer the wrath of envious people. While a few souls admire Jesus, like His disciples, and imitate His example, many more despise Jesus and Hisgreatness and want to crucify Him. Their pride provokes envy, and their envy provokes wrath.

Nevertheless, as with Joseph, God exalts the humble and gives Jesus and Hisdisciples the power to forgive. Although they have every reason to avenge themselves of such people, they seek to forgive them. Knowing that humility and repentance must precede forgiveness, Jesus commands his disciples to preach repentance to their audiences in order to prepare them for the Kingdom of Heaven.

The disciples are sent to preach to the lost tribes of Israel, descendants of Joseph’s brothers. They will find some of them hungry for the Word and ready to repent of their sins while they will find others still angry and ready to throw them down a well. On a spiritual level, a feast awaits those who repent while famine will haunt those who reject the gospel.

God’s children seem to forget that they enjoy a special privilege that arouses the envy of others. They receive the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; they receive the gifts of grace from the sacraments; their souls are fed by Jesus’ Body and Blood; they are never alone. God has made His children great. In return, He expects them to show the same magnanimity as His Son. Satan willtry to block the senses of the unconverted, but Catholics can—and should—overcome this stubbornness with patience and confidence that God will help them break these hard hearts and allow them to finally heal.

Mk 6:1-6a A Wish Or A Prayer?

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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By FR ALFONSE NAZZARO

When the Sabbath came [Jesus] began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished.  They asked, "Where did this man get all this?" ...And they took offense at him.  Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house."  So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there... He was amazed at their lack of faith.

A while back, while on a mini-vacation, I attended Sunday Mass at a neighborhood Catholic Church.  I was not wearing a collar or anything that would identify me as a Catholic priest.  I was wearing regular clothes.  I must admit it all felt a little strange.

That morning, I had decided I was going to go to Mass as a "spectator."  I looked up the Mass times and chose the earliest one:  7:00 am.  Why the earliest?  Because I figured it was the fastest Mass.  When I walked into the Church, I decided to sit way in the back.  It just came naturally to me to sit in the back.  Suddenly, I felt like I was regressing to my old habits of twenty years ago!  The reason why I was sitting in the back of the church and near the edge of the pew was because I wanted to avoid people and make a quick exit (if necessary).  How funny!

As the priest gave his sermon, I found myself drifting in and out of his talk.  I even began to give my own homily; that is, what I would have said  and how I would have said it.  I began to critique his homily. 

When the Mass was over, I exited quickly to avoid the "rush" of people.  But more importantly, I wanted to avoid speaking to the priest. 

Why did I behave the way I did?  What does this have to do with today's readings?

Amazed at their lack of faith.   The Jews in Christ's native town lacked faith in Him.  Why?  From the Gospel passage, it sounds like the people had some issues with Jesus being the son of a simple carpenter and couple.  In other words, they had immediately ruled out the  possibility of Jesus being someone anointed and appointed.

Do I grudgingly attend Mass on Sunday?  Do I enter Church with a negative attitude:  I'm not going to get anything out of Mass!  I'm just going to fall asleep during the readings and homily.

Have I put up a wall (and booby-traps) between myself and God?  Have I ruled God out of my life? 

Why did these people lack faith in Him?  I think we can safely rule out all scientific reasons, including evolution and the Big Bang - two theories I personally believe in!

It must have been because of their pride. 

Pride is a huge wall that separates us from God.  But not only that.  It prevents the Lord from performing His miracles on us.  He was not able to perform any mighty deed there...because of their lack of faith. 

Pride is to God what kryptonite is to Superman:  it makes Him weak.

People did not bring their sick to Him for healing. 

Why bother?  He won't be able to do anything for them! 
Why listen to the priest's homily?  You won't get anything out of it.  Why go to Church?  It's just full of hypocrites. 

Why pray?  It's what works the least!  Take it from St. Paul: Three times I begged the Lord about a thorn in my flesh!  Three times!  And what did he say to me?  You got plenty!  My grace is sufficient for you!

St Paul goes on to say:  "Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ: for when I am weak, then I am strong."

What???  Is he kidding???  "For when I am weak, then I am strong."  Is that what he just said?  How could he say such a thing?  I don't know about him, but when I am weak, I feel miserable, depressed, and lost!  How could he say such a thing and really mean it?

There is only one way:  by uniting Himself to Christ's storyline.

The goal of prayer is not to make a wish list and hope to get what we ask for.  Praying to God is not like wishing upon a star.  Sure, asking is a part of prayer, but it is not supposed to be all of prayer - at least it shouldn't be!  Rather, we pray so that we can align ourselves to the life of Christ.

This is exactly what St. Paul did.  When rejected three times by the Lord, St. Paul decided to align his life to Christ's life; that is, to Christ's passion: For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Do you feel alone?  Remember:  the Lord felt alone very often, especially when his followers misunderstood him. 
Do you feel abandoned?  If so, then you are in good company, for the Lord felt abandoned.
Do you feel unloved?  If so, then know the Lord felt unloved.

Let us align ourselves - our lives - to the Lord, so that His ending my also be our ending.

Gn 27:1-5, 15-29 Let Freedom Ring

Saturday if the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

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By JENNIFER BURGIN

“Ah, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field that the LORD has blessed! May God give to you of the dew of the heavens And of the fertility of the earth abundance of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations pay you homage; Be master of your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, and blessed be those who bless you.”

  

On this 4th of July holiday, Americans will fire up the grills and drink adult beverages while enjoying outdoor activities.  Families will watch dazzling fireworks and sing-along to familiar patriotic tunes. Smiles and laughter will be exchanged between friends.  Hopefully, Catholics will attend Daily Mass on this special day, thanking Our Lord for the birth of our nation and the beautiful gift of freedom.

I'm proud to be an American even if our nation is going through some unsettling changes. I'm sure our Founding Fathers never imagined the redefinition of marriage and abortion on demand.  When I think of the history surrounding Independence Day, the Liberty Bell comes to mind.  On the front of the bell is the famous crack along with the inscription: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof."  Interestingly, these words are taken from the Book of Leviticus 25:10.  The famous Liberty Bell has been a symbol for many groups seeking freedom and equality, including the Abolitionists, the Women's Suffrage Movement, and the Civil Rights Movement.  Even those who advocate for Gay Rights have been inspired by the symbol of the Liberty Bell.  

I think of that crack on the Liberty Bell as a reminder of the tremendous sacrifice and hardship Americans have gone through to obtain certain freedoms.  Yet, I can't help but ask myself:  We can symbolically ring the Liberty Bell in triumph for a new "right" given to a particular class of people.  But, are we truly free?  

In today's first reading from the Book of Genesis, Jacob with his mother's encouragement steals Esau's birthright in a game of identity theft.  Jacob received his father's blessing instead of poor Esau, becoming the patriarch of the family. What if Esau was granted his birthright?  How would it have changed the course of salvation history and the freedom given to us through Christ's death and resurrection?

I believe we are not truly free until we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are not truly free until we recognize God's work in our daily lives.  If it wasn't for a Higher Power, America would not be the incredible nation that it is today.  We must keep in mind that our nation was founded on religious liberty.  Such liberty should be cherished and not allowed to erode away as other "freedoms" become more popular and mainstream.

I've been studying the writings of the French Archbishop Francois Fenelon since the beginning of Lent.  I love his thoughts regarding "Legalism and Freedom":  

"It seems to me that real freedom consists in obeying God in all things.  It consists in following the light that points out our duty, and in following the grace that guides us.  We should take as our rule of life the intention to please God in all things.  We should make it our rule not only always to do what is acceptable to him, but if possible do what is most acceptable to him."

Fr. Bede Jarrett, O.P., an English Dominican priest, parallels Fenelon's words in his own definition of freedom in relation to law and liberty:

"Freedom means simply that I must be able to do my duty, and freedom is always outraged whenever I am prevented from doing whatever I ought to do.  The purpose, then, of the law is to safeguard liberty, and liberty consists in fulfilling the law.  Liberty has nothing at all to do with privilege; privilege indeed almost always means that other people's liberty is being interfered with.  An exemption from a law at least tends to become ordinary a disregard for law."

As we enjoy Independence Day with friends and family, let us spend a few moments to say a prayer of thanksgiving for our beautiful country.  Let freedom ring!

"To live without faith, without a heritage to defend, without battling constantly for truth, is not to live but to 'get along'; we must never just 'get along'."  

- Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (Feast Day July 4th)

This meditation was written by Jennifer Burgin, a Lay Dominican.  Please visit her blog:  Jennifer's Spectrum of Spirituality

Jn 20:24-29 The Perfect Pose

Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle
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By FR ALFONSE NAZZARO

The other disciples said to [Thomas], "We have seen the Lord."  But Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Typically, no one wants to be eternally remembered for their moments of weakness or their failures.  For some strange reason, though, the Church wishes to commemorate the memory of St. Thomas, the Apostle, with this pointedly embarrassing Gospel passage.  

Regardless of the constant pain this memory may have caused Thomas during his lifetime, there is something profound and sublime in all of it.  

Christ does not reveal himself as the perfect "10" model after his crucifixion.  He didn't rise from the dead all buff and beautiful.  He appeared to His disciples in a way they could recognize Him and, more importantly, realize what He had done for them.  Do you see these five wounds?  You are worth every single one of them.

Badge of honor.  Do I consider my suffering for the Lord as a badge of honor?  I should, and God help me if I don't. 

Scars and wounds and sweat and tears for the Lord (and neighbor) are natural medals pinned in our skin that represent fidelity, bravery, honor and dignity to our God and King.  They are something to be proud of. 

As I write this meditation, I am reminded of King Henry V's monologue on the Feast day of St. Crispian. 

If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires:
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England:
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more, methinks, would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse:
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'...

Yes, we are living in times of turmoil and confusion.  Christians and other minorities are being persecuted at home and abroad.  The family is divided.  The church is divided.  The nation is divided.  Political rhetoric is becoming less and less polite.  The world, especially in the Middle East is being slowly, yet gradually, seduced by evil and cruel men and women. 

Are these the end times?  No, they are not.  They are the beginning of a rebirth, a rebirth as sudden as that of St. Thomas' change of heart - from resentment and denial to complete and unapologetic obedience to the risen Lord.

How did Thomas get there?  From Christ's scars, that's how.  It wasn't just the Lord's presence.  It was the Lord's appearance:  "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side..."  

 It was the Lord's battle and love scars that tipped Thomas' heart and won the day!  As Peter once wrote:  "By His scars we have been healed" (1Pt 2:24). 

He could have added:  By His scars He won our hearts.

Gen 22:1-4 We’ve Read the Book

Thursday if the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

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By SOPHIE DRUFFNER

God put Abraham to the test.

He called to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah.

There you shall offer him up as a burnt offering

on a height that I will point out to you.”

Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey,

took with him his son Isaac, and two of his servants as well,

and with the wood that he had cut for the burnt offering,

set out for the place of which God had told him.

As my dad and I talked about The State of The World about a month ago, I reflected on how much God tests us every day. God’s testing of us used to confuse me. Why would he test us and make this world harder than it actually is? He already knows what will happen, good or bad. But then I came to understand that God doesn’t test us so He can find out how we will respond; he already knows. He tests us so that we can find out how we respond, and in our growing self-knowledge, become better human beings.

And so we learn through adversity. Adversity, for me, is being in a group of friends and having a different opinion than the rest of them on any subject, be it something serious or not. It’s hard to be different. It’s hard to see posts on Facebook or Twitter that come from different viewpoints than yourself. It’s hard to listen to a group of adults talking who seem to be of the general opinion that the world couldn’t get much worse. But then my dad reminded me of something he had heard in college: “We’ve read the book, and we know how it ends.”

Yes, we’ve read the book. Yes, we know how it ends--God wins! Can you believe that? All this time you may have been thinking that the State of the World is unchangeable and will persist forever. But God DOES win.

So next time you’re sitting around at the dinner table at some friends’ house, don’t talk about how the world is getting worse. Nothing will be accomplished, and you may find yourself reflecting on that conversation later when you’re feeling discouraged. Instead, schedule a time to go pray at an abortion clinic. Or volunteer at White Rose Women’s Center. Or go to adoration. Talk about inspiring stories that you’ve heard or ways that someone has helped someone else in the past week. Talk about happiness and schedule chances to make change.

In Chicken Soup for the Soul, there is a poem that reads:

On the street I saw a small girl

cold and shivering in a thin dress,

with little hope of a decent meal.

I became angry and said to God,

“Why did you permit this?

Why don’t you do something about it?”

For awhile God said nothing.

That night he replied, quite suddenly,

“I certainly did something about it.

I made you.”

In each of us there is a light. The light enables us to pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance in talking to people who share different beliefs than us about tough topics. Say a few Hail Mary’s then say “Come, Holy Spirit.” Jesus left us the Holy Spirit to set the earth on fire. Remember? “I have come to set the Earth on fire. And how I wish it were already blazing!”

We must believe that there is a life after death, and that we were created for a reason. For me, confirmation of this comes every time I learn more about the human body--the biochemistry of it, how the heart actually beats through electrical impulses, the wonders of how scientists can target specific cells to try to cure a patient. We must believe that in the end,we will win. We must believe that we are here not to be passive observers of a world that has so much wrong with it, but to be active changers (as Notre Dame phrased it in a college interview: ”change agents”)  and spread the true love of Catholicity a little at time. Have faith, just like Abraham, that everything will be perfect in the end. Have faith that the Catholic Church has endured for over two thousand years and no government, people, or war can destroy it. Have faith that you will set the Earth on fire. For no matter how dark the darkness is, it cannot quench the light.

Gn 21: 5, 8-20A God’s Family vs. Man’s Family

Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
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By Benedict Augustine

“But God said to Abraham: ‘Do not be distressed about the boy

or about your slave woman.  Heed the demands of Sarah, no matter what she is asking of you; for it is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name.  As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a great nation of him also, since he too is your offspring.’”

God had a plan for Abraham. Despite his old age, he would be the father of a great people and have many descendants through his son Isaac. God chose Abraham for this plan because Abraham had faith in God and lived virtuously. His faith allowed him to accept God’s plan.

His wife Sarah could not make the same claim. She laughed at the idea of conceiving a child in her old age. Already, to circumvent her barrenness, she ordered her husband to have a child with her Egyptian servant Hagar. After this, Hagar soon gave birth to Ishmael.

Immediately, and perhaps unsurprisingly, Sarah grew to hate Hagar after making this arrangement. In her envy—that she tried to mask as generosity in giving her to her husband—she abused her servant, driving her out of the house and into the wilderness. God had to send an angel to comfort Hagar and persuade her to return home.

All the while, Abraham loved his son Ishmael. He made no assumptions aboutthe success of God’s plan, so he simply continued to do his duty as a husband and a father.

A few years later when an elderly Sarah miraculously gave birth to Isaac, the family was faced with a dilemma. Abraham now had two heirs, and it was obvious that Isaac was the legitimate son meant to carry out God’s plan. As the son of a slave, and begotten out of human selfishness rather than divine love, Ishmael did not fit into this plan. Assuming the two grew up together, their interests would clash as each would struggle to fill the role as the new patriarch. One would try to dominate the other, and seeing that Ishmael was older, he would likely displace his brother and take his inheritance.

For the sake of stability, the two brothers would have to part ways, somewhat like Lot and Abraham so many years earlier. This brings anguish to Hagar and Abraham, who both see this decision as a death sentence for Ishmael.  Contrary to their expectations, God accommodates Ishmael and allows him to continue his family line and have numerous descendants. True, he becomes a “wild ass of a man” (Gn 16:12), and his progeny will not technically be God’s people until Jesus commands His disciples to preach to the gentiles, but no one can say that God punishes Ishmael for his parents’ (and step-parents’) mistakes. He made a separate plan for each child.

God’s decision to separate the two brothers proved to be the wisest decision. If Abraham had his way and allowed his emotions to triumph, he would have allowed his two sons to grow up together. Not only would this have endangered Isaac, this would have set a horrible precedent for the family structure and cause instability coupled with rampant inequality. It would indicate God sees little value in marriage between equal partners and condones concubinage. Men could then use women and their children as property, and assume the role of master (instead of father) while their concubines and children assume the role of slaves. In other words, God’s people would be indistinguishable from all the other people around as toss away destiny, identity, and cohesion.

Knowing infinitely better, God overruled Abraham’s plea. He wanted to preserve the family structure. He wanted a model in place to teach humanity how to serve and love another in an equal capacity. The father has a role; the mother has a role; and the children have a role. Each role entails a certain sacrifice—an indication of love rather than use. Only this arrangement could preserve God’s people and give their lives fulfillment and meaning.

Jesus’ coming only validates the family with its prescribed roles. He served God as a Son, and allowed His disciples to enter the family as adopted children through the sacrament of baptism. Just like before, this family structure, otherwise known as the Church, has preserved God’s people and given them peace and fulfillment. Naturally, people outside this family carried on as before like Ishmael to make cultures of their own. As they continually rose and fell, Christ’s spiritual descendants remained intact and steadily grew.

Today, people outside the Church seem to have their way in creating an opposing culture that is pro-individual and anti-family. Nevertheless, Christ’s disciples must hold fast and believe in God’s plan. Emotions like the ones of Abraham—for emotions guide this debate, not logic—have duped Western societies into believing that redefining the marriage and eliminating the notions of legitimacy will bring peace and strength. It will not. It will pit Ishmael against Isaac, leaving all of society weakened and divided.

As always, only those who follow God’s plan, revealed so clearly in Nature as well Scripture, will flourish and find peace. Those who do not will dissipate, age, and eventually pass away. God wanted to bring these descendants of Ishmael out of the wilderness and reunite them with His family; instead, they tried to bring the family out into the wilderness and dissolve it. It will be painful and ultimately futile.

More than ever, our time calls for faith in God. His will be done.