Reflection: Joseph's brothers meant it for harm but God meant it for good

Joseph's brothers, out of jealousy, sold him into slavery to Egypt. Through the hand of God, Joseph became servant to Pharoah. A famine came upon all the land and Pharoah directed the people to go to Joseph. Joseph's brothers approached him but they did not recognize Joseph was their brother.

Joseph said to his brothers, "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 45:4-5

The beauty of the story is Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers who sold him into slavery. 

Bur Joseph replied to them, "Have no fear. Can I take the place of God? Even though you meant to harm me, God meant it for good, to achieve His present end, the survival of many people. Therefore have no fear. I will provide for you and for your children." By thus speaking kindly to them, he reassured them.  Genesis 50:19-21

His brothers meant it for harm. Joseph forgave them because he saw that God meant it for good for the sake of saving lives.

Do you need to forgive someone? 

Imagine the scene of Joseph forgiving his brothers and place yourself next to Joseph. Come into the Presence of Jesus. Tell Him your hurts and pain and ask Him to help you forgive. To receive healing and help to forgive, go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Jesus meets you in this sacrament. Before you go to confession, examine your conscience and ask Our Lady to come to confession with you. Open your heart to Jesus in confession where you will receive mercy, forgiveness and an outpouring of healing and grace. After confession, continue the healing work of the sacrament by praying for the person or situation which caused you hurt and pain.

Israel mourned for his long lost son Joseph and assumed he was dead. He was inconsolable. After years of intense grief, he found out his son was alive. Israel had sent Judah ahead to Joseph, so that he might meet him in Goshen.

On his arrival in the region of Goshen, Joseph hitched the horses to his chariot and rode to meet his father Israel to Goshen. As soon as Joseph saw him, he flung himself on his neck and wept for a long time in his arms. And Israel said to Joseph, "At last I can die, now that I have seen for myself that Joseph is still alive." Genesis 46:38-30

Have you experienced grief over the loss of a loved one?

Think about Joseph as he threw himself on his father's neck and he wept for a long time. Think about the loved one you are mourning and imagine you are holding them close weeping for a long time. 

Ask Jesus to come to you now, to lift you up and hold you close. Throw yourself into His arms and pour out your heart to Him. Rest in His tender embrace. Imagine what it was like for Joseph to fling himself on his father's neck, weeping for a long time. Jesus invites you to come close to Him, come as you are, and tell Him everything. 

As you hold on tight to Jesus, your arms wrapped around His neck, tell him about the trials you are suffering, tell him your troubles, hurts and pain. Give them to Him and weep, just as Joseph wept with his father. Jesus will console you and He will strengthen you. Ask Jesus to help you learn from these trials. Listen to Jesus and let Him love you. Open your heart and receive His Love and ask Him to heal you. In His goodness, Jesus will hold you close and shower you with grace and mercy.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Psalm 23:6