This is the weekly bulletin insert from Sermons That Work.

Epiphany Bible Study: Week 7

During the season of Epiphany, The Episcopal Church’s Office of Global Partnerships is offering a weekly Bible study prepared by writers across the church and Anglican Communion. Each piece, consisting of the Sunday readings, can be studied alone, in small groups, or even with a congregation. You can find the whole study for each week at www.sermonsthatwork.org.

This week’s study for Epiphany 7 (C) was written by the Rt. Rev. Eduardo Coelho Grillho, the bishop of Rio de Janeiro.

Genesis 45:3-11, 15

³ Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.

⁴ Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. ⁵ And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. ⁶ For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. ⁷ God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. ⁸ So it was not you who sent me here but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. ⁹ Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me; do not delay. ¹⁰ You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. ¹¹ I will provide for you there, since there are five more years of famine to come, so that you and your household and all that you have will not come to poverty.’

¹⁵ And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them, and after that his brothers talked with him.

Commentary from Eduardo Coelho Grillo

The story of Joseph is well known. His brothers sold him to merchants and, after some time dealing with imprisonment and dreams, he ended up becoming a great administrator in the land of Egypt. Today’s reading brings us a reunion between Joseph and his brothers. Such an emotional meeting brought not only regret and sadness but also joy and reconciliation. All that in a few verses, in a few sentences. By that family story, we are invited to reflect on reconciliation and rebuilding relationships. As we read that passage lightly, it may sound as if the forgiveness was instantaneous between Joseph and his brothers. In fact, they all had to overcome resentment and guilt to move forward. They were called by God, as Joseph points out, to restore their family bonds as life challenged them all with famine and difficult living conditions.

Discussion Questions

• Have you ever felt betrayed or despised by those you love or trust (family, friends, mates, etc.)?
• Do you believe in reconciliation and forgiveness as essential experiences for mental and spiritual health?

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Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.

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