A Habit of Forgiveness

  We have been speaking of Joseph and his brothers for a while and the terrible thing they did to him.  We noted how Joseph forgave them, and their father forgave them.  But did they forgive themselves and change their ways?

  Well, they still weren't above a little deceit.  When their father died they were afraid that Joseph would rescind his forgiveness and start taking revenge on them.  So they told Joseph that their father Jacob, on his deathbed, asked for Joseph to forgive them.  Joseph wept when he heard this from them for he had truly forgiven them and thought that was behind them all.  

  Why had they been unsure of his forgiveness?  I think it was because they still had not forgiven themselves.  Their own lack of forgiveness reared its ugly head as suspicion of Joseph.  Then they slipped back into their habit of lying to get what they wanted.   

  For reflection:  It can be hard to break out of habitual ways of relating to one other.  If forgiving others and forgiving ourselves becomes our habit, then other habits like lying will disappear. 

  Let us pray.  "His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.  He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.  He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.  He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.  He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers" (Luke 1:50-55).

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