By Beth DeCristofaro
“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.”
(Genesis 45:5)
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to
give. Do not take gold or silver or
copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals,
or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you
enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you
enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon
it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or
listen to your words— go outside that house or town and shake the dust from
your feet. (Matthew 10:8-14)
Piety
If
I speak in human and angelic tongues
but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. … Love is patient, love is kind. It is not
jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not
rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not
brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but
rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things. … At present we see
indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know
partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but
the greatest of these is love. (1
Corinthians 13)
Study
It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent
me here ahead of you. God works in mysterious ways. This is such a time of opportunity for
prayerful self-reflection, witness and discourse. An internet video making the rounds shows
young Catholics who do not want to voice opposition to the gay marriage
decision because they fear judgement from others. At the same time, those who agree with the
justice of the decision fear condemnation from their church. Mass murders lead to heated discussions over
legacy and symbols rather than deeply rooted racism and solutions. Arguments
ensue over the economics of Affordable Care Act without considering the
Christian mandate to heed the cry of the poor.
We build greater and more restrictive defenses against terrorists who we
call “them” rather than recognize they are us.
Arguments for and against immigration are shouted back and forth with
vitriol. Where is God in this time of
division, discord, hate, violence? Where
do we manifest God’s love?
Jesus sent his
disciples, sends us, out to the world as His Word bearers in bold
peacefulness. He warned his followers that
they will be persecuted but instructed them to merely shake the dust off and
proceed, receiving and taking without cost.
Joseph used his power to save and enrich his family rather than
punishing. Even the grim story of
Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac turns on God giving Abraham his son
back, accepting Abraham’s total acquiescence to God rather than demanding
death. Jesus, God and Son of God, gave
himself to us in a world that was at the time and still remains often brutal,
and self-serving. God wants forgiving
mercy for all and those who love and revere him can bring that mercy in His
name.
Action
How can we channel
the potent energy of anger, frustration, pain, fear and confusion that many are
feeling today? Place these emotions in
prayer and ask God for clarity and direction to best use this energy witnessing
to the Word. Listen as well as
speak. Love first, love last. The Spirit of God is flowing today just as it
did in Moriah when Abraham picked up the knife, in Egypt when Joseph faced his
murderous brothers, in Galilee when Jesus sent his disciples like lambs among
the wolves. We can be a lover not a clashing
cymbal. We can give rather than count
the cost.
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