"there's a place for us"
"Can I take the place of God?" —Genesis 50:19
Joseph is a "type" of Jesus, that is, he is an Old Testament figure whose life foreshadows the future coming of the Lord. In a sense, Joseph "took the place of God" in showing forgiveness to those who turned their backs on him (see Gn 50:19). Joseph not only forgave those who hurt him, but he reassured them repeatedly and even provided for them the rest of their lives.
We too, in a sense, can take the place of God. As disciples of Jesus, we imitate the Lord in His character and in His ministry. We are called to show the love, mercy, forgiveness, care, and provision of God to a world that doesn't know Him. So many people have no idea of how much God loves them and desires to forgive them. They don't know how eagerly the Lord Jesus longs to have intimate fellowship with them (see Lk 22:15). We are "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor 5:20) and we take His place on this earth.
An ambassador takes the place of the leaders of his or her nation, representing them to a foreign nation. As God's children and family members, we are representing the Lord to the people of this world. Let the Lord shine through you to convince people of His unfailing love and forgiveness. Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for us (Jn 14:2); let us go and "take the place of God" (Gn 50:19) in this world which needs so desperately to know His forgiveness, mercy, and love.
Prayer: Father, as St. Teresa of Avila taught, You have no hands but ours. I offer you my life, hands, smile, love, and forgiving heart.
Promise: "Do not fear those who deprive the body of life but cannot destroy the soul. Rather, fear Him Who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna." —Mt 10:28
Praise: St. Benedict was blessed to die still facing the altar having just received his Lord in the Eucharist.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 18, 2014
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