BOLD MOVES

In God’s presence, there is potential for forgiveness and restoration of community. In today’s readings, this wisdom is affirmed as Joseph and his brothers move toward reconciliation and the psalmist proclaims the goodness of family harmony. Paul draws a circle to include both Jews and Gentiles, as do Jesus’ healing acts. With God, harmony and shalom are possible.

Scripture Readings

(Click on lin to read on Bible Gateway)

How do we, as individuals and as a church, embrace opportunities for reconciliation and forgiveness?

Focus Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15

When we left Joseph last week, he was being carried to Egypt as a slave. His older brothers “hated him and could not speak peaceably to him” (Genesis 37:4). In today’s focus, the saga moves to a place where “his brothers talked with him” (Genesis 45:15). The journey between these two points is filled with drama. It is likely that more than one writer contributed to the account in Genesis 37-50. The occasional confusion regarding some details need not detract from the truth of this foundational story for God’s family of faith.

When Joseph first arrives in Egypt, he serves Potiphar, an official in Pharaoh’s (the king) government. After a false accusation from Potiphar’s wife, Joseph is thrown in prison. There he becomes well-known for interpreting dreams, and even interprets Pharaoh’s dream regarding an upcoming famine. Joseph is placed in charge of preparations for surviving this impending disaster, and rises to the rank of governor.

The famine comes. Seeking to buy grain, ten of Jacob’s sons go to Egypt. They plead their case to the governor, not recognizing Joseph. Joseph, however, does recognize them and plays a few tricks on them, perhaps to assess their honesty. As we enter the focus verses, some time has passed since the first meeting and all eleven brothers now stand before Joseph.

The movement toward reconciliation is filled with tender emotion. First, Joseph speaks to his brothers in Hebrew to reveal his identity, weeping. The brothers are asked to move “closer,” crossing the boundary of space customarily kept around a ruler. Joseph tells of his life in the intervening years, and moves to embrace Benjamin, then to kiss all the brothers. The kiss was an important sign of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Joseph emphasizes that his survival has been part of God’s plan: “God sent me before you to preserve life” (v. 6). Joseph describes his wise actions in Egypt as evidence of God’s saving love. God intends to maintain the covenant made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3).

This episode only begins the process of reconciliation among Jacob’s sons. In the remaining chapters of Genesis, we learn how Jacob and his clan are reunited with Joseph and how they flourish in Egypt. However, after Jacob’s death the brothers again fear retribution. Again, Joseph reassures them of how God has been working to preserve life (Genesis 50:15-21). The story then moves from the person Israel (Jacob) to the people called Israel.

Psalm 133 is essentially one statement about the beauty of family harmony. Whether the psalmist is longing for unity or celebrating it, the call is to seek the blessings of relationships grounded in shalom.

Paul, in Romans 11:1-2a,29-32, proclaims that God has not rejected the ancestors of Jacob, the people of Israel. God’s promises are irrevocable. Christ seeks reconciliation of all people.

A Gentile woman’s persistent and unconventional actions move Jesus to break down the barrier between Jew and Gentile. As told in Matthew 15:10-12,21-28, her faith in God, who works through human activity, changes things for the better.

Living in harmony as a family or community is challenging. Yet, through God’s saving love, we can find ways to speak, listen, and journey forward together. God’s presence in our actions can restore community. Where might God be calling you to take a more active role as agents of compassion and reconciliation?

REFLECTION

Wise and loving God, when relationships are fractured, journey with us in the life-giving process of reconciliation. Fill us with patience and unconditional love, so that we might forgive as we have been forgiven. In Christ. Amen.

 

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