Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 385

When hunger came to be felt throughout the land of Egypt and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread,
Pharaoh directed all the Egyptians to go to Joseph
and do whatever he told them.... 

Christians have long recognized the Patriarch Joseph as a prototype of Jesus. The favored son of his father, a visionary, intelligent, observant, wise, and virtuous. He was also cocky in his youth, but the twelve-year-old son of Mary and Joseph also had a lot to learn, specifically about obedience. 

I'm sure many Christians highlight Genesis 42:5 -- "The sons of Israel were among those who came to procure rations." -- as a prediction about Jews which has yet to come. 

And Catholics like to say, "All roads lead to Rome!" meaning that Orthodox churches and Protestant congregations must finally hear the Lord's prayer ut unum sint -- that all may be one. 

When it comes, it will not be driven by the drawing power of Roman Catholic theology, the beauty of our liturgies, or the attraction of our sacraments. They will come with the same hunger we feel before the Lord. 

They will also come because they love the truth and want to know the truth. Facts may be satisfying to those who know them, but facts bear only a passing resemblance to truth. Our mystics remind us that those who know the Lord are never satisfied; we always want to know more. We want more assurance of salvation and deeper intimacy in his presence. Because we remember who we are and where we come from, 

Behold, I was born in guilt, 

in sin my mother conceived me. (Psalm 51:7) 

we keep coming to procure provisions against the trials that come with our hunger for the truth, and our guilt, weakness, age, and infirmity.