In our first reading, we hear the story of Joseph, the beloved son of his father who was betrayed by his brothers out of jealousy and greed. Yet, in the midst of this harsh reality, God uses Joseph as a key player in the founding of the nation of Israel, his chosen people.
I can imagine that when Joseph, the youngest son, arrived in the family of his father Israel, it was a big change for all his brothers to deal with. I remember a quote for the pre-Socratic philosopher Greek philosopher Heraclitus from the 5th century BC that was often quoted by my history professor in seminary, Father Vincent McNally: “Change is the only constant in life.” This same philosopher made the same point about change being always present in our lives by another quote: “No man ever steps into the same river twice.” The river is always there, but the water in it keeps changing so that from one minute to the next it is really a different river.
The landscape of our faith has certainly changed in modern America in recent years. Fewer people are going to Mass. Christians are increasingly the subject of attack and ridicule, even in our own country. I recently read the book Silence by Japanese author Shusaku Endo, historical fiction based in the 17th century when Catholics were repressed in that country. This novel tells the story of several Portuguese Jesuit priests who arrive in Japan in the midst of the suppression of the faith, being pressured and tortured to renounce their faith. We are not at that point here in our own country in our own modern era, but are we headed in that direction? Even in this reality we are facing today, a very challenging reality indeed, may we take courage in the practice of our Catholic faith.
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