The place of God

In last Saturday’s first reading (from the 49th and 50th chapters of Genesis), following the death of their father Israel, Joseph’s brothers are afraid that he will retaliate against them for their past crimes against him. Joseph reassures them with these words:

Have no fear. Can I take the place of God?
Even though you meant harm to me,
God meant it for good...

This does not mean that God made the brothers attack Joseph, but that God was able to bring out of it an unforeseen good.

Nor are the brothers off the hook, for the question “Can I take the place of God?” implicitly affirms that it is God’s place to judge.

Some people seek vengeance while falsely claiming the banner of God’s justice. Other people shirk their responsibilities while draping themselves in the mantle of (false) peace and (selfish) love.

In our own lives and in our own world, we need to look for the good that God always brings, to seek his justice and truth rather than our own, and to seek the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for our need is very great indeed.