Daily Retreat 07/12/07
2007 Jul 12 Thu
Gn 44:18-21. 23b-29; 45:1-5/ Ps 104(105):16-17. 18-19. 20-21/ Mt 10:7-15
From today’s readings:“ It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.... Remember the marvels the Lord has done.... Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give....”
A Plot Twisted with Providence
The story of Joseph is in many senses the climax of the whole Book of Genesis, marvelously bringing together the themes of God’s providence, family solidarity, and the inevitability of being tested for one’s faith. Having overcome various tribulations and passed all his own tests with his characteristic flying colors, Joseph finds himself in a position to test his brothers, not out of vindictiveness for their past cruelty, but rather, from a fraternal hope for their salvation, provided that they had repented of their past evil.
And the brothers pass their test! Twenty years ago, driven by jealousy and greed, they had sold their brother Joseph into slavery, then callously led their father Jacob to conclude that wild animals had brought about his death. But when faced with a new crisis, rather than selfishly abandoning Benjamin and bringing more grief to their father Jacob or cowardly seeking safety in a mask of lies, the brothers instead stand by each other in complete solidarity, acknowledging their own guilt (cf. 44:16), and committing themselves to the truth, come what may.
And so Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, also revealing to them the Providence of God, which even had brought good out of their past evil! Of course, that’s not to say that evil may ever deliberately be done that good may come of it (something which can never be justified - cf. virtual retreat reflection for July 7). But, as Joseph argues, and the Cross of Christ even more eloquently proves, the trademark of divine operations is clearly seen as the almighty and all-loving God continues, in our own day as well, to decree that even evil plots can be twisted with Providence....
Gn 44:18-21. 23b-29; 45:1-5/ Ps 104(105):16-17. 18-19. 20-21/ Mt 10:7-15
From today’s readings:“ It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.... Remember the marvels the Lord has done.... Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give....”
A Plot Twisted with Providence
The story of Joseph is in many senses the climax of the whole Book of Genesis, marvelously bringing together the themes of God’s providence, family solidarity, and the inevitability of being tested for one’s faith. Having overcome various tribulations and passed all his own tests with his characteristic flying colors, Joseph finds himself in a position to test his brothers, not out of vindictiveness for their past cruelty, but rather, from a fraternal hope for their salvation, provided that they had repented of their past evil.
And the brothers pass their test! Twenty years ago, driven by jealousy and greed, they had sold their brother Joseph into slavery, then callously led their father Jacob to conclude that wild animals had brought about his death. But when faced with a new crisis, rather than selfishly abandoning Benjamin and bringing more grief to their father Jacob or cowardly seeking safety in a mask of lies, the brothers instead stand by each other in complete solidarity, acknowledging their own guilt (cf. 44:16), and committing themselves to the truth, come what may.
And so Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, also revealing to them the Providence of God, which even had brought good out of their past evil! Of course, that’s not to say that evil may ever deliberately be done that good may come of it (something which can never be justified - cf. virtual retreat reflection for July 7). But, as Joseph argues, and the Cross of Christ even more eloquently proves, the trademark of divine operations is clearly seen as the almighty and all-loving God continues, in our own day as well, to decree that even evil plots can be twisted with Providence....
posted by FrPitstick | 7/11/2007
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