Listen

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I God? You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it, in order to save the lives of many people, just as he’s doing today. Now, don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” So he put them at ease and spoke reassuringly to them.

Genesis 50:19–21

Think

When we feel the power of God’s love in our hearts, we can gain a clearer perspective on what happens to us in life. It takes resilience to see the bright side, to see the glass half full, to see the light lingering on the threshold. It is in those small efforts to give and receive grace that we see the miracles in our lives. Joseph not only responded to his brothers’ needs. It’s worth reflecting on how he did so. He didn’t do it reluctantly; he did it with tenderness, emphasizing that he would truly help and comfort them by offering a safe space.

The power of God’s love gives us the strength to bring about justice in the midst of pain, seeking not merely individual healing but a healing that transforms our entire reality. The grace Joseph showed was not achieved through revenge or haste, but through mercy and the time needed to heal.

Divine tenderness is manifested in welcoming, listening, and walking alongside others. God embraces human frailty and heals through love (inspired by Henri Nouwen, The Wounded Healer).

Karla Sánchez Rivera

Question to Ponder:

Who can you show mercy during this time?

Pray

God of life, teach me to see through your eyes what is happening in my life. Then I will have the peace that only you can give me. Amen.

Go

Reflect on your own life: What role do you play? You’re invited to forgive and be forgiven.