Trust God and Forgive-Homily for Thursday of the 14th week in ordinary time 13th July 2023

Homily for Thursday of the 14th week in ordinary time 

Gen.44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5; Ps.105; Matthew 10:7-15

Trust God and Forgive

Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers in the first reading of today. The brothers could not recognize him but he could recognize them. They must have been dismayed by the fact that their effort to prevent the young Joseph’s dream from actualizing, was in futility. They must have also been wearied by the fact that their evil deeds intended for Joseph, ended up bringing great pain and sorrow to their father, which they never anticipated. They must have also been dumbfounded that even before revealing himself to them, Joseph is not enraged to want to revenge the evil they have done to him.

What is most intriguing was how Joseph understood the whole situation. If he had understood it as a failed attempt to victimize him, he may have been thinking towards repaying them for their evil deeds. But Joseph saw the action of his brothers as God’s special way of bringing him to Egypt so that he could help save lives at that time of famine. When we understand that God is always able to bring good out of every defect, we will not want to waste our time and energy revenging wrong done to us; instead, we will be intent on seeking the face of God more and more.

Beloved, forgiveness is an attitude of the strong. It could be difficult especially when the hurt is deep but we can begin to learn how to forgive when we first learn how to trust in God for every good we desire in life. When we cultivate the habit of always putting our lives in the hands of God, we will have this deep conviction that the wickedness of men will not be able to thwart God’s plan for us.

At those times when we may have lost one thing or the other due to the wrongs others have melted on us, let us call to mind the words of the psalmist today: remember the wonders the Lord has done. The God of wonders is always able to wonderfully recover his children from any loss they may have suffered in the hands of the wicked. Beloved, trust God and forgive. You will be fine.