The last third of the Book of Genesis tells the story of Jacob’s twelve sons who became the founders of the families or tribes that make up Israel. The first reading from today’s Mass is a small portion of the rather long and dramatic tale of jealousy, anger, violence, patience, divine intervention, reconciliation and obedience to God’s plan that emerges among them.  In short it is the story of nearly every family or tribe or collection of tribes in human history that has discovered forgiveness.

In today’s reading about Joseph, the youngest son and child of Jacob’s most beloved wife, Rachel, we hear of Joseph’s great success after the years of suffering in an earlier part of his life, when some of his older brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, instead of killing him which was their original plan.  In Egypt things go from bad to worse and he ends up unjustly imprisoned.  While in prison he encountered a servant of the Pharaoh, who had a dream.  God guides Joseph to successfully discern the meaning of this dream.  Later that fellow prisoner has an opportunity to tell his master, the Pharaoh, about Joseph’s interpretive skills and the Pharaoh seeks out Joseph to discern for him the meaning of his royal dream about seven thin cows consuming seven fat cows, and seven desiccated ears of corn destroying seven perfect ears.

Inspired by God’s Spirit, Joseph not only discerns the warning in the dream of a severe famine that would come after seven years of good harvests, he develops for the Pharaoh a plan to organize grain savings for the coming seven fat years of successful harvests in order to feed the population through the seven lean years to follow.  Unlike the neighboring countries, Egypt’s Pharaoh embraces Joseph’s warning and has a plan to face the economic and social crisis on this horizon. He appointed Joseph to be the one who oversees this process and even determines who gets grain from Egypt in the time of need.  Today’s reading begins with the whole hungry world on Egypt’s doorstep and Joseph’s authority to feed them based on God’s constant assistance.  It so happens that Joseph’s brothers in Canaan are sent down to Egypt by Jacob their father, because they also have no grain for bread. When they show up, Joseph recognized them and had his chance to “get even” with them for their cruelty. 

Knowing that God has had his life in hand all these years, Joseph rose above human vengeance and sought reconciliation with them.  He forgave them and invited them to share his prosperity in Egypt.  They left their home and brought their families and flocks to Egypt where they eventually grow into a “great nation” (This situation in much later history causes great fear in Egypt under another Pharaoh and that sets off the Exodus story – the real founding story of Israel.)   

All Scripture rightly understood and interpreted by God’s grace leads us to Jesus, and the loving desire of the Father for our lives. Just as the first reading is about the people of God in the Old Testament made present through the twelve sons of Jacob, the Gospel names the twelve Disciples of Jesus who share the Good News of God’s plan for the whole world in the New Testament community.  Like Joseph, their task, is to feed a world that is hungry for bread to sustain human life, and hungry for the Bread of Life and the Will of God to sustain their joy and hope.

As I prayed with these texts for today’s liturgy I was challenged to consider that in God’s hands all things will bring the peace, joy and grace that will fulfill my deepest longings – even the challenges, humiliations and sources of suffering.  In the Joseph story of Genesis, the Biblical author makes clear to us that even bad things that God does not directly will for us, can become grace as God “writes straight with crooked lines.” Forgiveness flows from a willingness to see the supporting hand of God in all things and to be grateful.  When we are filled with gratitude we cannot harbor ill will or jealousy toward others.

“Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in You.”  Ps 33.22