“We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us, yet we paid no heed…” Genesis 42: 21
When I was much younger, someone said to me, “Be kind to everyone; not just because it is the right thing to do, but because you don’t know if you will meet them again. You don’t know who they will become, or in what context you might meet them later in life.” I thought about this as I felt myself identifying with Joseph, in the role of governor, as he struggled internally. As God would have it, during a time of crisis, Joseph happened to be in charge of the rations of grain, and then the stage was inevitably set for an emotional and uncomfortable family reunion.
After everything his brothers put him through, they did not even recognize him immediately. Joseph could have chosen to be the type of leader who responded by withholding, by punishing, or by being vindictive. Instead, he chooses to test them, to weigh their character and sincerity. He chooses to feel his pain and work through it. He chooses to show mercy and display a grace that transcends personal hurt. This made me think about how I treat people who have hurt or betrayed me in any way and how reconciliation can be transformative, especially when we approach each other with vulnerability, honesty, and compassion. Sometimes, it takes the toughest of times to confront uncomfortable truths and make peace with the past.
Each of us has a unique place in the world, and sometimes, our paths take us back to our origins, the roots of our faith, community, and identity. When we encounter those whom we left behind, those who pushed us away, and those whom we no longer recognize, how do we respond? In some cases, our response can either illuminate the way forward or deepen our despair. Either way, our actions of the past seem to rise to the surface, and the interior work we have done or not done dictates how the narrative unfolds.
In both readings today, we are invited to think about the “lost.” Those whom we lost along the way. Those individuals might include people who have left the church, as well as those within our reach who may feel forgotten or marginalized. They might also include family members whom we pushed away or who pushed us away. How do we respond? How can we step into our roles, whether as caregivers, advocates, leaders, healers, or simply as bearers of kindness, as we are confronted while the kingdom of God unfolds? Our actions and responses matter.
God of mercy and compassion, fuel a fire of purpose within each of us to respond to others in a way that inspires and heals. Amen.
Vivian Amu
I am an alumna of Creighton University. My Jesuit education has taught me to live a more reflective life and find God in every moment. I am originally from Nigeria, West Africa. Currently, I live in the heart of the Midwest in the United States. I consider myself a lifelong learner. I enjoy cooking, watching movies and baking shows. I love reading a good mystery novel. I have read all books written by Agatha Christie and all books in the Sherlock Holmes series. I enjoyed every one of them.
I enjoy writing because it feels like free falling with trust into the arms of God. I find freedom, life, and beauty in praying with poems and scripture. I also contribute to the Living Faith devotionals and feel a lot of gratitude for the opportunity to be a contributor to the Creighton University online ministry reflection webpage.
