WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 7, 2021

MASS READINGS:

A reading from the Book of Genesis Gn 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a

When hunger came to be felt throughout the land of Egypt and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, Pharaoh directed all the Egyptians to go to Joseph and do whatever he told them. When the famine had spread throughout the land, Joseph opened all the cities that had grain and rationed it to the Egyptians, since the famine had gripped the land of Egypt. In fact, all the world came to Joseph to obtain rations of grain, for famine had gripped the whole world. The sons of Israel were among those who came to procure rations. It was Joseph, as governor of the country, who dispensed the rations to all the people. When Joseph’s brothers came and knelt down before him with their faces to the ground, he recognized them as soon as he saw them. But Joseph concealed his own identity from them and spoke sternly to them. With that, he locked them up in the guardhouse for three days. On the third day Joseph said to his brothers: “Do this, and you shall live; for I am a God-fearing man. If you have been honest, only one of your brothers need be confined in this prison, while the rest of you may go and take home provisions for your starving families. But you must come back to me with your youngest brother. Your words will thus be verified, and you will not die.” To this they agreed. To one another, however, they said: “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.” Reuben broke in, “Did I not tell you not to do wrong to the boy? But you would not listen! Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” The brothers did not know, of course, that Joseph understood what they said, since he spoke with them through an interpreter. But turning away from them, he wept.

REFLECTION

But turning away from them, he wept.

Joseph was Jacob's eleventh son but his first child by Rachel. Jacob was deceived into first marrying Leah, Rachel's sister, and had 7 children with her. One was Judah, the direct ancestor of the promised Messiah.

Jacob finally married his beloved Rachel and had Joseph and then Benjamin. Jacob always had his heart set for Rachel. Joseph, being their first child, was favored by Jacob.

Tension was already in the family of Jacob but with his favoratism, it began to focus on Joseph. In his old age Jacob (Israel) was more relaxed and spiritual and Joseph developed into a passionate spiritual man.

But there was too much hatred and jealousy in the hearts of his brothers, and so it was very problematic for the older brothers to face Joseph who was the object of their resentment.

Favoritism and selfish concerns can be the cause of dysfunctional families, relationships and brokenness. It can be the reason for deception. And Joseph is the classical example of betrayal by his family.

The story of Joseph and his brothers is a story of forgiveness, generosity, love, understanding and leadership. In his naivete, Joseph showed off the multicolored coat given to him by his father Joseph, told all of the dream he had foretelling that his brothers and father would bow down before him. The brothers were angry and hateful and they sold Joseph into slavery. As we all read in Genesis, Joseph first served the Pharaoh and then falsely accused spent over 11 years in prison but eventually his dream interpretation made him second in command of Egypt.

Joseph came through all his problems because God never left him. There was no resentment or bitterness. How many of us can raise our hands that we have not been resentful or bitter when a stronger personality overcomes us or we are overcome with jealousy? Love was what sustained Joseph. Does love sustain us? Do we trust El-Elohe our God, the God of Jacob and Joseph?

With time we see the "brothers-11" change in their abrasive personalities. God, also, worked on the evil, hatred and selfishness of the brothers. They not only repented for their sins against their father and Joseph but also atoned by taking full responsibility for their actions and doing the best to not further offend their father or their little brother Benjamin. Judah especially was ready to sacrifice his life to save Benjamin.

Let's ask God for a release from our hard hearts, our anger, resentment and our rash judgments.

God Bless You