BROTHERS, DO NOT BE AFRAID.

CAN I TAKE THE PLACE OF GOD?

"Jacob gave his sons this charge: “Since I am about to be taken to my people, bury me with my fathers in the cave that lies in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, facing on Mamre, in the land of Canaan, the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a burial ground.

There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, and so are Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and there, too, I buried Leah—the field and the cave in it that had been purchased from the Hittites.”

Now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful and thought,

“Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us and now plans to pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!”

So they approached Joseph and said: “Before your father died, he gave us these instructions: ‘You shall say to Joseph, Jacob begs you to forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers, who treated you so cruelly.’

Please, therefore, forgive the crime that we, the servants of your father’s God, committed.”

When they spoke these words to him, Joseph broke into tears.

Then his brothers proceeded to fling themselves down before him and said, “Let us be your slaves!”

But Joseph replied to them:

“Have no fear. Can I take the place of God? Even though you meant harm to 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.

Joseph remained in Egypt, together with his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years. He saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation, and the children of Manasseh’s son Machir were also born on Joseph’s knees.

Joseph said to his brothers: “I am about to die. God will surely take care of you and lead you out of this land to the land that he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

Then, putting the sons of Israel under oath, he continued, “When God thus takes care of you, you must bring my bones up with you from this place.” Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten." (Genesis 49: 20 - 32, 50: 15 - 26a).

Saturday 12th July in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time.

Anyone who has read the Blog for any length of time will conclude correctly that the writer is obsessed by the theme of Divine Providence.

What is Divine Providence?

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Divine Providence is defined as "the dispositions by which God guides his creation toward [its] perfection".

In paragraph 302, the Catechism states:

"Creation has its own goodness and proper perfection, but it did not spring forth complete from the hands of the Creator. The universe was created 'in a state of journeying' (in statu viae) toward an ultimate perfection yet to be attained, to which God has destined it. We call 'divine providence' the dispositions by which God guides his creation toward this perfection".

"God protects and governs all things which he has made, caring for everything from the smallest details to the greatest events in history. Divine Providence reflects both God's interest and action in guiding creation, emphasizing that God is neither distant nor uninvolved, but actively engaged in bringing creation to its intended fulfillment."

In my view, no person in the whole of Scripture embodies the doctrine of Divine Providence as Joseph, whom God made the Prince of Egypt.

“Have no fear. Can I take the place of God? Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end, the survival of many people."

Joseph assures his brothers that no one can thwart the decision, will, plan or desire of Divine Providence.

The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.

“Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us!" (St Catherine of Siena).

Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions for the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/06/july-devotion-to-precious-body-of-jesus.html?m=1