Daily Reflection

Genesis 49:29-33, 50:15-26, Psalm 105 and Matthew 10:24-33
_*“Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:31-32).*_
After their father’s death, the brothers of Joseph were not convinced that Joseph had truly forgiven them. They feared that Joseph was only waiting for their father to die before striking back. So, they went to prostrate themselves before Joseph to ask for pardon. This was now the second time they would bring Joseph’s dream to reality. 
Joseph showed that his forgiveness was not merely cosmetic but complete. He had not forgotten what they did to him, but he was no longer pained by that. Joseph said to them: *“Fear not, for am I in the place of God. As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones" (Genesis 50:19-21).*
It is interesting to note that Joseph’s forgiveness came before (not after) his brothers offered their apology. Joseph not only forgave them, he went extra mile to assure them of his protection and provision. It is not enough that we say “I have forgiven you” only to cut ties completely from the person afterwards. Forgiveness is complete when we are able to restore that friendship and brotherhood that existed before.
Like these brothers of Joseph, there are times we still feel guilty even after we have gone for confession. There are times we feel we haven’t been forgiven by God or that God is punishing us by allowing bad things come our way. By so doing, we show that we do not really know God who is all loving and all merciful. As Joseph assured his brothers, we need to let go of our fears and trust that having been absolved of our past sins, God no longer holds anything against us. 
Coming to our Gospel passage, Jesus tells us not to be afraid of those who can only kill the body and afterwards can do nothing else. We should not fear people because we have God himself as our security. God is so close to us that He knows even the number of hairs on our head. So why should we be afraid of people? 
Jesus says: “everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Do I acknowledge Jesus before the world? Am I proud of my Christian Faith? Do I act, talk, behave or dress in a way and manner that clearly shows I belong to Jesus? Or am I too scared of being laughed at, ridiculed or excluded from my peers because of my faith? Fear Not!