Reflection: Come closer to Me...

"I am Joseph," he said to his brothers. "Is my father still in good health?" But his brothers could give him no answer, so dumbfounded were they at him. "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. Genesis 45:3-5

Have you ever experienced betrayal or rejection?
If you have, read and meditate Genesis and the story of Joseph. His brothers, out of jealousy, sold Joseph into slavery. They turned their backs on their brother. Imagine the pain Joseph felt, but he did not let his feelings consume him. Although his brothers meant it for harm, God meant it for good. God will draw goodness out of evil but we must not turn our backs on Him. Joseph did not hold his rejection against his brothers. He could have, but Joseph had a forgiving heart. God calls on us to have forgiving hearts. The best way to do this is to go to confession often. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the Throne of Mercy. It is where grace and mercy meet.

When you experience betrayal or rejection, your soul is wounded. Jesus encouraged Saint Faustina to bring her miseries, the wounds of her heart, to confession. He said to her:

"Tell Me about everything, be sincere in dealing with Me, reveal all the wounds of your heart. I will heal them." Diary of Saint Faustina 1487

Jesus is there waiting for you and He wants to heal you. Come as you are and open your heart to the priest who is Jesus Himself. As you go to confession, Jesus will heal the wound in your soul and you will receive forgiveness, healing, sanctifying grace and mercy. As Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me," Jesus also says to you, "Come closer to Me."

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 in Goshen. As soon as Joseph saw him, he flung himself on his neck and wept a long time in his arms. Genesis 46:28-20

When Joseph met his father, "he flung himself on his neck and wept a long time in his arms."

In the Diary of Saint Faustina 1448, Jesus spoke these words to her:

"Write, speak of My mercy. Tell souls where they are to look for solace, that is, in the Tribunal of Mercy (the Sacrament of Reconciliation), There the greatest miracles take place and are incessantly repeated. To avail oneself of this miracle, it is not necessary to go on a great pilgrimage, or to carry out some external ceremony; it suffices to come with faith to the feet of My representative and to reveal to Him one's misery, and the miracle of Divine Mercy will be fully demonstrated. Were souls like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint there would be no hope of restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God, The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full."

In confession, Jesus will heal the wound in your soul. He is calling you, "Come closer to Me." Run to confession and "fling yourself into His arms."  Let your tears flow and Jesus will perform the greatest miracle in your soul. Through the miracle of Divine Mercy, your soul will be restored.

O, give thanks to the Lord for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1

Heavenly Father, help us to be like Joseph, filled with love and forgiveness. Help us to see the plans You have for us. Sweet Jesus, stay with us and keep us close to You. Blessed Mother Mary, protect your little ones and all those we pray for. Come Holy Spirit! Come through Mary!