Genesis 45:1-8: Making Ourselves Known
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Today we continue our reflection on the story of Joseph whose brothers sold him into slavery . . . on the story of Joseph who forgives and saves these brothers in return.
When we find ourselves in a place of power, do we react with anger or mercy? Do we struggle to understand how to convert our dire circumstances into an opportunity to be close to God so that we might be able to see our grief as gift? Do we look for ways to offer this gift back to the God to use as he sees best as he accompanies us in our travail ?
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and to us in this story, and so may we reveal ourselves to others. Rather than sink to the easy move of wielding the power we find in our hands, we are to seek God in our suffering and pain. In so doing, we will discover that God has converted the harm to good, the evil to joy. We will also discover new depths in ourselves; we will find our best selves – our deepest potential. Can we imagine offering this re-made self back to one who rejected us earlier . . . particularly when we have the power to reject as we have been rejected? What greater love can we demonstrate than to turn away from vengeance to turn toward peace? What greater act might we perform than to follow Christ in an act of forgiveness of others . . . especially the others who have harmed us greatly?
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers . . . and in so doing he bridges profound chasms of sorrow and loss . . . bringing joy and reunion.
God reveals himself to us and thus calls us to the possibilities dreamt for us at our inception.
When we reveal ourselves to others as Joseph did then we demonstrate that we understand the depth of our capacity to be God’s love in a world yearning for peace.
Reading this story we see that we have no choice . . . let us journey through loss to make ourselves known to the world.
First written on September 20, 2008. Re-written and posted today as a Favorite.
Image from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/350858627214142649/
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