“The salvation of the just comes from the LORD.” (Ps 37:39). The antiphon of today’s Responsorial Psalm summarizes the truths of the readings for today’s Mass. In order to understand the poignant embrace of Israel by his favorite son, Joseph, one must be familiar with Genesis 28-45. Joseph is now the vizier of Egypt. He is offering refuge from famine.
Joseph was the son of Israel’s old age, whose mother was Rachel. Like his father, he was a dreamer. But his dreams were not popular with his brothers. The dreams suggested that one day Joseph would rule over his whole family. Because of envy, his brothers sold Joseph into Egypt as a slave. They brought his bloody clothes to their father, who believed Joseph had been killed by a wild beast. In Egypt, he successfully worked for Potiphar. Potiphar was the captain of the Pharaoh’s guard. Joseph worked with him until he was falsely accused of trying to rape his wife and thrown into prison.
Dream Interpretation
Joseph came to the attention of the Pharaoh, who dreamed a dream which frightened him. Pharaoh’s wise men could not interpret the dream. The chief butler, who had been cared for by Joseph while in prison, told Pharaoh that he had had a dream while imprisoned. A Hebrew slave had correctly interpreted that dream. When Joseph was called before Pharaoh, he told the ruler that God could interpret his dream. Joseph interpreted the dreams. They suggested that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine that would affect the Middle East. The Pharaoh believed Joseph and made him vizier over Egypt to prepare for this impending disaster.
When the famine brought Joseph’s brothers to Egypt to buy grain, they did not recognize him. He accused them of being spies but sold them grain after finding out that his father was alive and well. When he finally revealed his identity to them he said: “Don’t be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God has sent me before you to preserve life.” (Gen 45:5). He sent for his father to bring his whole family into Egypt to preserve them from hunger. Israel’s dream confirmed this truth. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt for there I will make you a great nation” (Gen 46:3).
Joseph and Israel Unite
Now that you know the background story, try to enter the scene of this joyful embrace as Joseph flings his arms around his father and falls on his neck. Watch them sob together and weep copiously as they clutch each other with thankfulness for God’s providence. “Can this Egyptian official really be my son Joseph?” “My father’s hair looks so grey and his body feels so frail.” “My son who was killed by wild beasts is alive.” With the psalmist, they know that in the LORD is their refuge and “that in days of famine they have plenty.” (Gen 37:19)
Just as Joseph and Israel had to endure their trials, Jesus promised his apostles that they would be delivered to courts and scourged in the synagogues. Like Joseph, they were to be as wise as serpents and gentle as doves. They would be betrayed by their families and hated because of Jesus’ name. Just so we must endure trials and temptations. “But whoever endures to the end will be saved” (Mt 10:22).
Then, just as the vizier Joseph saved his family in Egypt, the Son of Man will return to take His own to be with Him forever in heaven. Truly, “the salvation of the just comes from the LORD.” (Ps 37:39)
[Readings: Gn 46:1-7, 28-30; Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40; Mt 10:16-23]
