Family and Mercy (Proper A15)

I remember watching a cartoon of Joseph receiving his brothers, and seeing my grandpa weep at the mercy he showed. "That's what Christ has done for me," he said.

How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! Joseph's mercy brought the family back together. Isaiah declares God's intention to do the same, bringing all peoples into his house.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you

Paul declares that in accepting the Gentiles, his own tribe would not be lost. God's intention to bring all tribes to him is evident this week. Against this back drop we hear Jesus say that he was sent only to the lost tribes of Israel. In his silence and in his words, his mercy to the nations isn't seen, but in his actions it is.