Reflection on the Daily Readings for 7/10/09 by Fr. Bertrand Buby, SM

Today’s Readings


Scripture: Friday of 14th week. Genesis 46:1-7,28-30. Psalm
37:3-4.18-19.27-28.39-40. Matthew 10:16-23. Lectionary # 387.

"Joseph is still alive."  What good news for Jacob (Israel) to know that
his lost son is alive and well in Egypt.  Both will unite and enjoy being
together after so many years apart.  This is even better than the prodigal
son parable for it is real and not merely a parable. God has been with both
of them all along and somehow the separation was part of their roles in the
history of salvation for their families and peoples.  It is a time when
Joseph is not only known by the Pharoah but is in charge of his external
outreach to help those suffering from draught and famine.  He is second in
charge and is the vizier of the leader of Egypt.  Though Jacob is in his
last days called away from the beloved promised land, he will be brought
back after his death.  It will be Joseph who closes his father's eyes and
returns his body back to the land of Israel.

In the Passover Haggadah or the retelling of the Exodus Event we learn of
God's liberating love and fidelity to all that has been promised to the
Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  We may include Joseph among them for
he is part of the story of the great forefathers of Israel.  The Haggadah
tells this, "Our father Jacob did not come down to Egypt to strike roots
but only to sojourn there."  Just as Jesus will leave Egypt and fulfill the
prophecy, "Out of Egypt I have called my son." This has already be done by
Jacob through the filial love and care of Joseph.  In reading the Gospel
for today we can see a parallel to the long years of separation and
suffering that Jacob endured before seeing his son Joseph. Our Psalm
response helps us to remember the Joseph-Jacob story and to recall what
Jesus is telling us.  "The salvation of the just comes from the
Lord."  (Psalm 37:3-4.18-19.27-28.39-40).  Amen.