Joseph's Prudent Stewardship separates his family into the fertile Nile Delta where they are fruitful and multiply. Even though the famine becomes more and more intense in its effect, Joseph is able to provide food and grain to the Egyptians in exchange first fore their money, then their animals, land and lastly themselves, becoming slaves (serfs) to Pharaoh. Joseph institutes a flat 20% tax of harvest. Joseph's prudence saves Egypt and they recognize Joseph as a savior and not just for Egypt, but Canaan as well. Jacob blesses Pharaoh?
Jesus returns to Caparaum, "His own city." While at Peter's home he heals a paralytic, but not before forgiving his sins. But who can forgive sins, but God alone? For the Scribes, within their own hearts questioned the words of Jesus and accuse him of blasphemy, but within their own hearts. What is Matthew declaring (Mark and Luke as well) about Jesus? Who and what He is? What is scripture saying about the Scribes? Who are they? We look to the Old Testament and the Fathers to find out.
Jacob revives at the news and proof of the wagons and gifts that Joseph his beloved son is alive. Jacob first goes to Beersheba to offer sacrifice and to worship the God of his father Isaac. The prayer to God in worship, (which always involves sacrifice) comes first before Jacob sets out to go to Egypt. God reiterates the promise he made to Abraham and Isaac that Israel would become a great nation, Joseph rushes to meet his father and falls on his neck, and weeps a flood of tears in joy, for words have no ability to express this joy at Joseph seeing his father and Israel seeing his beloved son! Jacob's life is complete, seeing his son, whom he thought was dead is alive.
Miracles number four and five: Jesus speaks and the storm ceases, and drives out the demons from the two men among the tombs. Jesus displays His divine power in commanding the winds and seas. We look at the Old Testament to gain insight into what it means that Jesus commands the winds and seas.
Joseph makes himself known to his brothers after Judah's supplication to sacrifice himself for his younger brother Benjamin's sake. Joseph is reduced to tears at God's providence and mercy.
Jesus cures many at Peter's house, beginning with Peter's mother-in-law. After having cured many, including driving out demons with a word, (i.e. Because Jesus' divine authority, He commands all things and creatures, including demons). From witnessing these miracles, some wish to follow him, but are they (and we) ready to give up everything to follow Jesus. Discipleship is not for the faint of heart. If we approach with humility and docility, Jesus will come to rest in our hearts.
Joseph puts his elder brothers to the test to gain information about where their true hearts are. Recalling how he was treated with envy and contempt, Joseph tests his brothers to see if their disposition has changed toward their father, to whom they must have lied to and toward their younger brother Benjamin. Are they still envious of the younger? Do they still hid their evil or will they come to the truth in humility. Repentance comes from humility in a trial. Judah, although not the eldest acts as the goel or redeemer of the youngest brother Benjamin.
Jesus heals a Centurion's servant without touching the ill person, but simply by his word by the intercession of the servant's master. This master, a pagan Roman and a soldier, shows great faith, even more so than what Jesus finds among the sons of Israel. Jesus goes further that those other nations that were former enemies of Israel, the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Persians. This healing, Jesus' admonition to the Israelites/Judeans/Jews, and the promise to the Gentiles is foretold in Genesis.
From Moses to St. Paul to St. Cyril of Alexandria to the Second Vatican Council in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium; a continuity exists as God designs His Church, beginning with the topology foreshadowed in Genesis 43. God's plan is eternal to gather all men into His everlasting covenant in the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church.
Jesus descends the mountain, and after having given the new Law of the Gospel, he begins performing miracles. The first miracle of the ten in Chapters 8 and 9, Matthew is recounting the ten plagues that God did in Egypt to curse the Egyptians. Now Jesus heals. We lookin depth the first miracle and how Jesus is fulfilling the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15-19. We also look at Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and 2Kings 5:1-14 as Jesus fulfills all of these aspects of the Old Testament. We here from St. John Chrysostom and St. Jerome.
What is a prophet? Who were the prophets and what did they do and say? Who were the false prophets then, and who are the false prophets now? Are they in or outside the Church or both? How can we know who the wolves are when they appear in sheep's clothing? WE look to Augustine, Jerome, Gregory the Great and also, Dr. Hahn and Pope Benedict XVI to gain insight into how to discern the good from the evil, good fruit from poison and the shepherds from the wolves.
What does Jesus mean by not casting pearls before swine? How we should treat holy things? How can we know these things, but through asking, seeking and knocking through prayer. We hear from St. Augustine and Pseudo-Chrysostom and Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch's Ignatius Catholic Study Bible.
We review Chapter 43 and then consider the thoughts of St. John Chrysostom regarding the sons of Israel (Jacob) when, driven by famine to go to Egypt and meet Joseph. St. John describes how Joseph's brothers consciences, convict them when Joseph treats them roughly and accuses them as spies. They are convicted of their crime when they suffer distress at the hands of Joseph. Yet Joseph treats them with great kindness by supplying them with grain without cost. Yet demands to see his younger full brother, Benjamine.
Being treated as spies and roughly so, Joseph's brothers, who had attempted to kill him, but sold him into slavery and lied to their father, come to acknowledge their sin. Simeon, the oldest, whose job it was to protect Joseph, is held in prison as a hostage to test them. It is through this that they begin to come to repentance. Recognizing our sin, which sometimes comes only as through punishment, is the beginning of repentance.
What does it mean to not judge? How do we then know right from wrong? Should we not correct others who's behavior is not in keeping with the commands of the Gospel? How can we live according to the commands of Christ if we cannot judge our own behavior or those whom we love? We gain insight by looking to Ezekiel and St. Paul in Scripture. We look at commentaries from Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, St. Jerome, St. Chrysostom and end with St. Augustine.
When we see with the eye of the soul, we see the things of this world as things to be used to further the kingdom, to serve others and the Church. Jesus reiterates the Law of Moses in sharing what we have been given with those who are in need. If the eye of the soul is illuminated by God, we serve that which we see and to where our heart is turned. Anxiousness is rooted in not living in the now, but rather having concerns about the future, when God is a loving Father, Who only desires our well being, in this world and ultimately the next.
We discover the topology of Joseph as a Christ like figure in the Old Testament. We hear from St. John Chrysostom and look at Psalms, Daniel and Matthew. We can see in the life of Joseph a foreshadowing of the life of Christ.
Jesus teaches us to fast. What is the teaching of the Church on fasting? We look to the Catechism and the Code of Canon Law to see what the official teaching is on these aspects of piety.
So How do we fast and what do I do with my treasure? What is my treasure? And where is my treasure? We look to Psalm 49, St. John Chrysostom and St. Jerome to see what this means.
Pharaoh has a dream that none can interpret. Not the priests of their religion, not his magicians, nor Pharaoh's "wise men" could interpret the dream. Joseph is remembered by the butler, the wine bearer and Joseph is brought before Pharaoh.
God, through Joseph, properly interprets Pharaoh's dream. Joseph is appointed to the office of Vizer of Pharaoh. We go through Haydock's Commentary to understand the literal meaning, and look to the foreshadowing in this as it relates to Christ.
The Fathers break down for us the Lord's prayer and what it means, what is it means. In order to understand this, we must go back to the original Greek text. What is this daily bread that we ask for? Does God lead us into temptation? How do we gain knowledge of ourself and any weakness that must be corrected to become fully refined in virtue.