The Mass readings from Genesis over the last couple of days certainly call to mind parallels between the two Josephs. It is amazing to see some of the striking similarities:
1. Both Josephs were forced to go to Egypt – the patriarch was sold into slavery by his brothers, while the husband of Mary was forced there to avoid the wrath of Herod, who sought the infant Jesus’ life.
2. God enabled the patriarch Joseph to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh; God spoke to the Joseph, husband of Mary, through dreams. In a sense, a particular dream of the first Joseph would be fulfilled in a greater way by the second: “…and behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”
3. Joseph the patriarch won the favor of the most powerful king on earth, so much so that when hungry nations came to Egypt looking for food, Pharaoh could say confidently, “Go to Joseph, and what he says to you, do.”
All of us must “go to Joseph,” for he, like Mary, will lead us to the Lord.
