Saturday of 14th week, July 14, 2007

Scripture: Genesis 49:29-32, 50:15-26a. Psalm 105:1-7. Matthew 10:24-33.
Lectionary # 388:

Joseph great story is now ending as we finish our liturgical reading of
Genesis. He forgives his eleven brothers and has laid his father Jacob to
rest with the other great Patriarchs and their spouses; with Abraham and
Sarah, with Isaac and Rebekah, with Leah who was his father's concubine.
It is an important scene for us, for we, too, experience death of a parent
or grandparent. This brings the family together where we are able to share
stories, even forgive one another, and learn how to be without someone whom
we loved dearly. Jacob has died in peace and in the promised land just as
he had hoped for and prayed for. Joseph also dies at the end of the
narrative; he reached the symbolic blessed age of one hundred and ten for
having listened and obeyed the voice of the Lord God in his lifetime. His
example throughout shows us how he reached an integrated manhood after his
dreamy youth. He grew through his rejection by his brothers, his
enslavement and imprisonment in Egypt, and this temptations. Joseph has
given us an example as to how to be inculturated and accept others
different from his own family and nation. He does that so well that he is
second to the Pharao and in his gifts as a leader he helps other nations
including those of his own nation and family. He assumed responsibility
and became a great administrator of the economic fortunes of Egypt. His
exercise of justice combined with mercy saved many a starving populace.
The narrative given to him in Genesis is the longest dedicated to the son
of a Patriarch and even surpasses those of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It
is a story worthwhile reading a few times. For me, its theme is "Ite ad
Joseph." Go to Joseph for you needs and for assistance. We can learn much
from him and are blessed with his sacred memory in the Scriptures and the
Liturgy. Amen.