Thursday of the Fourteenth Week
During these past few weeks we have been following the exciting narratives in the book of Genesis. Today’s passage about Joseph is a particularly poignant story. You may recall that Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Joseph underwent great hardship, only to later rise to a position of power within the household of Pharaoh. Now he is in a position to help his family, along with all the people in that region.
The story of Joseph’s being sold into slavery by his brothers is one that likely strikes us with disgust. How could anyone be so cruel to a sibling? If we read that story by itself, we might think that there is nothing good about this story at all. It is simply a tale of jealousy, anger, and sin. Today’s passage, however, is a story of redemption. We find that God’s grace has worked through this awful event to save the lives of many people. By God’s guidance, Joseph has endured many trials and has become a trusted advisor to the Pharaoh. God has taken the evil done to Joseph by his brothers and has made good come of it. Hence the responsorial psalm response: “Remember the marvels the Lord has done” (Ps. 105:5a). As he is reunited with his family, Joseph attests to God’s grace, which sent Joseph to Egypt that he might save many lives.
We know another person who was sent to save many lives, namely Jesus. And in this person of Jesus, we once again see the grace of God at work. As God transformed Joseph’s situation from one of evil to good, so Jesus transforms situations by proclaiming the Kingdom of heaven. The sick, the dead, lepers, those possessed by demons: all of these are evils capable of becoming goods. And their true transformation comes because they are signs of God’s saving love in Christ Jesus.
Jesus came to a world in a desperate situation – one that was longing for salvation. But it was this situation that made possible our salvation in Christ Jesus. Hence at the Easter vigil Mass we proclaim “O, happy fault of Adam!” Because we have sinned, like Joseph’s brothers, we can now be saved, as they are saved through their brother Joseph.
We see here God’s grace at work. This situation of evil, of persecution, has brought forth exemplary models for us – models who are not simply models, but who are saints, able to pray for us and for their fellow countrymen and for all who continue to face persecution in their faith. The power of their witness is once again a testament to the psalm response: “Remember the marvels the Lord has done” (Ps. 105:5a).
While we may not face martyrdom or persecution for Christianity, we often find ourselves in difficult situations, whether of sickness, unemployment, death of a loved one, and so on. So often we are tempted to look at these situations as curses, or to ask “Why? How can God allow this?” While doubt and grief are natural and just feelings, our readings today draw our attention to the redemption that can come from evil situations. God can overcome and has overcome the worst of situations. When we are tempted to despair, we ought instead to draw strength from our knowledge of God’s saving power.
Today, take some time to recall a difficult time in your life. How can you see that some good has come from this? How has it been a redemptive experience? If it is something you are struggling with now, pray that you might know God’s grace in the midst of trial, and that you might always be confident of his saving love in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
- Maria Morrow