Congregation at Prayer

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Power of the Forgiveness of Sins—The dramatic story of Joseph’s interactions with his brothers continues in this week’s readings. The true identity of the prince of Egypt remained hidden from his brothers, but the truth of their sin and what they had done to Joseph and their father Jacob was coming to the light of day. God worked repentance in their hearts, turning them away from their self-righteous sins of hatred of their father and brother to a confession of their sin and a yearning for the Lord’s salvation. When the prince’s cup was found in Benjamen’s sack and they were given the opportunity to abandon him, Judah Intercedes for Benjamin before Joseph, offering himself in exchange for his brother, giving us a picture of Jesus, the greater descendant of Judah, who would intercede for us. It grieved Joseph to have had to treat his brothers so roughly, but it was necessary in order to save them from impenitence and condemnation. Joseph Forgives His Brothers. He can bear it no longer. He must reveal himself to them, not to punish them but to forgive them and celebrate the gift of God’s grace. Joseph was motivated by the undeserved forgiveness and grace of the Lord that he himself had received and that had sustained him throughout the hardships of his life which eventually brought him to the pinnacle of Egyptian power. The power of Christ’s forgiveness is revealed in Joseph’s radical and wonderful words to his brothers, “Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.” By the grace of God, Joseph declared that “God works in all things for our good” (Romans 8:28). In the strength of God’s forgiveness, Joseph is reconciled to his brothers, Jacob Journeys to Egypt to See Joseph, Jacob Settles in the Land of Goshen with all his sons and family, and Jacob Blesses Joseph’s Sons. The line of the Messiah is preserved and in Joseph’s Vow he pledges to return his father’s body to the land of promise for burial. The Lord was present with Joseph throughout his life, working all things for good, by the power of Christ’s forgiving grace.CP230129

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Gift of Faithful Pastors — This week gives us opportunity to meditate upon three minor festivals that commemorate the gift of pastors. St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor, became a catechumen of Paul on Paul’s second missionary journey. His Jewish mother and grandmother are credited with teaching him the Scriptures from childhood. Timothy continued with Paul and became a fellow minister of the Gospel who would train other men to be pastors.  The Conversion of St. Paul commemorates the grace of God that calls obstinate, self-righteous sinners to repentance and faith. Saul of Tarsus met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, Syria. He had letters in hand from the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem to arrest those who called on the name of the Lord Jesus. This embittered Pharisee and persecutor of the Church became, by the grace of God, a faithful apostle of the Gospel he once tried to destroy. St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor, was a Greek convert to the Christian faith from Antioch, Syria. Titus assisted Paul in the distribution of funds collected to assist the poor, suffering Church of Judea. Like Timothy, Titus was an envoy of the Apostle Paul to many of the churches throughout Asia and Greece. He assisted in the training of pastors in those cities and would end his life as the bishop of Crete. CP230122

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Ministry of a Faithful Brother—The lengthy account of Joseph from Genesis speaks of the overwhelming power of God’s grace to sustain and guide us in our vocation as Christians. Through all the things that Joseph suffered, the Lord was with him and blessed him especially in suffering. Joseph is finally remembered by Pharaoh’s butler and brought before the king of Egypt. Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams, detailing for Pharaoh not only what the future held—seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine—but also advising the heathen king for the benefit of the unbelieving nation of Egypt. Joseph served his neighbor faithfully for his neighbor’s welfare. Pharaoh received Joseph’s interpretation as the Word of the Lord. Once again, the Lord blessed Joseph. Joseph Becomes the Prince of Egypt, being raised up, not really by Pharaoh but by God to bring about God’s salvation. The wise administration of the affairs of Egypt prepared them for the years of famine and enabled the Egyptians to be of service to others. In Joseph’s Brothers Journey to Egypt to Buy Food, the hardship of famine draws them to Egypt and right into the hands of Joseph. Of course, many years have passed since they sold their brother into slavery. He is now dressed like an Egyptian. He speaks Egyptian. He uses an interpreter to communicate with his brothers. They do not recognize him. Joseph’s apparent suspicion and harsh treatment of his brothers is not an act of vengeance or retribution. Rather, they needed a pastor—a faithful brother who could minister God’s Word to them and bring them back to the Lord’s salvation. Joseph Feeds His Brothers and Sends Them to Jacob out of love for them, to draw the truth from them, and to show them how much they needed to confess the truth that they have denied for years. In the midst of this week’s narrative surrounding Joseph’s faithful ministry to his brothers, we hear the Confession of St. Peter. Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” is the ROCK upon which the Church is built. It is the pillar of truth, the foundation for our faith, and the ground of certainty and comfort. It is the confession of all true Christians today.CP230115

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Weakness of the Fathers and the Lord’s Faithfulness—This week we return to the continuous readings from the Old Testament. Throughout this week’s narrative we see the weakness of the Old Testament fathers, but also the faithfulness of the Lord. He had promised to be with them, to call them to repentance for sin, and to sustain them by His grace despite their ongoing struggles. This is of great comfort to us in our baptismal pilgrimage. In Jacob Returns to Isaac His Father we hear the account of Rachel’s death in childbirth with Benjamin. Before she died, she called the child “Son of My Sorrow”, but Jacob confessed his faith, even during grief, naming him “Benjamin” which means, “Son of the Right Hand.” After the listing of Jacob’s twelve sons, we learn of the death of Isaac. Joseph was called to be a prophet of the Lord. The Lord revealed himself to Joseph through dreams. This calling inspired jealousy among Joseph’s brothers. Joseph’s Brothers Sell Him into Slavery out of a self-righteous faith. As the narrative unfolds, we see the weakness of Jacob’s fourth born son and his offspring in the account of Judah and Tamar. Through the sordid details of chapter 38, we learn that Judah unwittingly commits fornication with his daughter-in-law, believing her to be a prostitute. The long running narrative of Joseph continues in Joseph Is a Slave in Egypt and Joseph Interprets Dreams in Prison. Throughout his sojourn in Egypt, the Lord was with Joseph, sustaining his faith and working His good in Joseph’s life and service to others. Though blessed as a faithful servant of Potiphar, he is falsely accused of adultery by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. While in prison, the Lord prospers his work. Joseph is given the opportunity to serve and continue the work of a prophet, interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker. The story of Joseph and the Lord’s faithfulness to him in suffering are an example of that which St. Paul would later write: “God works in all things for our good, to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).CP230108

Catechesis Notes for the Week — The Seventh Petition—“Rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation.” When we pray the Seventh Petition, “but deliver us from evil,” we might be tempted to conclude that we are asking that “evil” never rear its head in our lives. This misses the mark. Evil will come into our lives in the form of Satan’s attacks upon our “body and soul, possessions and reputation.” Holy Scripture makes this clear. We will not be spared from being attacked. God wills that the attacks of evil against us serve the cause of faith. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me.” Therefore, in the Seventh Petition we are asking that God would preserve our faith in Christ when we are assaulted by the Evil One, and teach us to commend ourselves—body, soul, and spirit, with all that we are and have—into His gracious keeping. The Word of our Lord teaches us that He will not forsake His own. If He allows evil to enter our lives, then He does so for His good purposes and for the exercise of faith in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This petition promises the Christian: “God will not allow the Evil One or any adversity to overwhelm you.” By this petition He invites you to trust this promise and to call upon Him in your need. In this way faith in Christ is active.  CP230101