Fourteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time

“Come closer to me,” he told his brothers. When they had done so, he said: “I am your brother Joseph, whom you once sold into Egypt. But now do not be distressed, and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.”

Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers is something we can all learn from. He shows us how to put aside the wrongs others have done to us and instead embrace those who wronged him in spite of the temptation for vengeance. He could have been bitter and turned his back on his brothers as they had done him. And yet, he is merciful and sees how his brothers’ ill treatment of him led to a greater good. He focuses not on his brothers’ sinfulness, but rather on God’s goodness. Joseph’s merciful and trusting nature comes from his choice to do what is right and loving even to those who have wronged him. This is what Jesus did in His life, when he chose to sacrifice himself for us... sinners who betray him every day in great and small ways. But thankfully, Christ’s Divine Mercy and his desire to save lives is far greater than any of our sins and so he spares us when we come before him and admit our guilt.

Are we willing to forgive those who have wronged us? Can we put aside personal feelings and do good to those who have done us evil? Are we willing to suffer for the sake of saving lives?

O Lord, help us to be merciful and loving even to those who have harmed us.

Amen.