Memorial of St. Benedict, Abbot
Maybe having so many heart-wrenching stories in the news recently of families being separated against their will – especially parents and their children, even if adult children, whether it be a result of immigration and deportation enforcement or the tragedies of war or of natural disasters such as the recent flooding in Texas – maybe these have something to do with my heartfelt reaction to the reunion of Joseph and his father, Jacob (Israel), in today’s reading from Genesis’ 46th chapter.
The lectionary readings over the past several days have been taking us through the dramatic story of Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers who had sold him into slavery years prior, and the reunion with his father who thought he was dead. It wasn’t difficult for me to visualize this emotional reunion in the final verses of today’s reading: “As soon as Joseph saw him, he flung himself on his neck and wept a long time in his arms.” And his father’s response, “At last I can die, now that I have seen for myself that Joseph is still alive.” Years of grief turned to relief and joy.
Later, near the end of Genesis (50:1) we read of Jacob’s funeral and Joseph’s emotional display of love and grief for his father: “Joseph threw himself on his father’s face and wept over him as he kissed him.” This time joy turned to grief; yet, I think, a different kind of grief. They were able to say goodbye. And for Jacob to have held his grown son in his arms and Joseph allow himself to be held and weep in his father’s arms is such a beautiful image.
Jesus also modeled this kind of emotional expression as we recall the shortest verse in the bible, “And Jesus wept” (John 11:35) in response to the death of his friend Lazarus, and the weeping of Lazarus’ sister, Mary. Luke’s gospel (19:41) also tells of Jesus weeping. This time in lament for Jerusalem, “As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it”, foreseeing its destruction as they rejected his message of justice and peace. And, lastly, we find in Hebrews (5:7) the author describes Jesus tearfully praying, crying out to God, “In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears….”
Let us not be ashamed of our tears, a gift from God and healing expression of deep felt emotion – love, grief, sadness, relief, healing, even joy. May we follow the examples of Jesus, Joseph, and Jacob in their courageous vulnerability. Amen.
~Eileen Miller