Thursday July 13, 2017
If Jesus spoke of Nathanael as a true Israelite in whom there was no deceit (Jn 1:47), the same could be said of Joseph of the Old Testament as well. Joseph had every reason to feel wronged by his brothers and the whole world for every misfortune they afflicted on him. In fact, he had every reason to blame God for the tragic events in his life. But there is no greater example in the Old Testament, other than Abraham of course, for absolute fidelity to God and trust in God’s ways in one’s life. Joseph holds no grudge against his brothers (who still cannot escape the pangs of guilt) and weeps in unbearable love for them. He understands the terror that is in the eyes of his brothers and acquits them of their sin, consoling them that it was all part of the grand design of God in order to provide for them in their needs.
In Joseph, his brothers received a foretaste of Christ and his Gospel. Joseph thus was a true apostle of the mercies of the Kingdom of God. We are commissioned to be and do the same.