Let us be your slaves.

"Let us be your slaves!" (Genesis 50: 18).

Saturday of the 14th week in Ordinary Time. Our key Scripture today is the voice of guilty conscience. The brothers of Joseph terrified of what Joseph might do to them after their father Jacob had died cried out: "Let us be your slaves!"

"But Joseph replied to them: “Do not fear. Can I take the place of God?  Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve this present end, the survival of many people." (Genesis 50: 19 - 20).

Recall the post Resurrection appearances of Jesus to His disciples who abandoned Him during His passion. Jesus called them "My brothers." And later, He would explain to them as Joseph did here the meaning of His gruesome passion and death:

“Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?.......
“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”........
“Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things." (Luke 24: 38 - 48).

St Paul gives us the full understanding of the radical Providence of God in Romans 8: 28 - 30:

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified."

Do not be afraid. I am Joseph your brother. (Cf Genesis 45: 4).

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com