14th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, Jul 9
Genesis
46:1-7, 28-30 / Matthew 10:16-23
Joseph meets his father: He wept a long time in his arms.
Today's reading contains one of the most touching scenes in the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament. Describing how Joseph greeted his father, it reads: "He flung himself on his neck and wept a long time in his arms." This touching scene stands in stark contrast to the way many modern fathers and sons (greet each other. or example, not long ago a father wrote o Ann Landers about his dead son: "The greatest regret of my life is that I kept my son at arm's length. I believed it was unmanly for males to show affection for one another. I treated my son the way my father treated me, and I realize now what a terrible mistake it was."***
How do we
show our affection toward our parents? Toward our children? The father of the
prodigal son "ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him." Lk 15:20
***
We have heard of this term "bucket list". A bucket list is a sort of wish list of what we would like to do before we pass on from this world. Of course the wish list can be really long and some of the items in it may not be achievable even. So some people may say that they want to do certain things before their life comes to an end but how determined are they about it, that's another question. But some people are dead serious about the things they want to do before their life is over and done. Like Jacob and Joseph in the 1st reading. It had been over twenty years since they last saw each other. And when they came to know that each was still alive, they would certainly have that wish that they would be able to see each other, even if that would be the last thing they would ever do in life. As we feel the emotions of Jacob and Joseph in that meeting, where their wish in life was fulfilled, that would also lead us to reflect about the last thing or things we would want to do in life. More than just want to travel and see the world and eat every food that is reputed to be good, there must be something more when it comes to the last things of life. Certainly, we want to be forgiven of all our sins and be reconciled with God and others and be at peace at our final moments. We want to stand before God, humble but firm, and with the hope that He will call us His good and faithful servants and let us into His kingdom. As Jesus said in the gospel: The man who stands firm to the end will be saved.
***
Joseph
invited his brothers and his father to come into Egypt. He knows the famine
would last another five years. The Pharaoh not only added his invitation, he
promised them the best land Egypt could offer and he sent waggons to bring them
and as an inducement, rich gifts.
Jacob was
not sure whether he was allowed to leave the land God had promised Abraham. He
went to Beersheba to the sanctuary, to find the will of God. God told him: I
myself will go down to Egypt with you, for I will make you a great nation there.
God's providence guided their destiny. In Palestine, they lived in isolation
and constant strife. Now they were to come into Egypt where they welcome. The
contact with a great culture educated all of them. That is how they were going
to be a great nation. Those four centuries made all the difference. It is true
that after some years they had to go and find work. This made them dependent
and finally slaves; foreign workers. One of theirs, a man with an Egyptian
name, who has had his education at the royal court, would lead them out: His
name is Moses.
***
Why is it that God's message is not accepted? Why? Why? They bring the good news of salvation. God loved the world so much that he sent his only son. The message tells of a Father, who is almighty and all wise, a Father that cares for us in his providence. They bring his grace. How can this provoke resistance, even hatred? The answer is in the message. They announce the kingdom is at hand. God wants to rule. No one except the wise want to be ruled. Christianity is not just a philosophy of life that one can discuss and then discard. Man has to change his life. God is the Lord. He has his demands on men, his commandments. Faith is another demand. God wants the whole man, the whole time. A religion is not resented when it demands only self-fulfilment. Christianity demands -accepting the will of God. There is also the evil one, who tries to get us away from God. It is like being a lamb in a pack of wolves.
***
What Jesus
says of his apostles-missionaries applies also to all who follow him: they have
to live with insecurity. They will be contradicted, ridiculed, perhaps
persecuted. The gospel, meant to bring peace, in reality often divides. It sets
off, sets apart. It brings division even among those who claim Christ as their
Lord. Jesus promised to his disciples then and now his Holy Spirit to stand by
their side in their trials.
***
Prayer
Lord our God, our faith is often put to the test in the confusion of our time. Let your Holy Spirit speak in us when we meet contradiction on account of the gospel of your Son. May he be our strength and peace in living with the uncertainties that are the lot of those who believe in you. Stay with us when the going is rough and bring us home to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
