Joseph turned away from them and began to weep (Gen 42:24).

There are moments in life when we have waged the battles of life and climbed the ladders of power. To be there at the top but without our kin to share our love, all our success counts as a loss.

In the first reading, we see how Joseph has the trust of Pharaoh and the power to alleviate the sufferings of many, but he cries at the pain of being disowned by his own brothers. In spite of all the bitter memories, he chooses to love his brothers still. Love is, in many ways, more a choice than an emotion.

Thus, as brothers and sisters of Jesus, who chose to lay down his life on the Cross, we pray that we have the strength to choose to love even those who despise us. And then we can boldly profess that "the Kingdom of heaven is near."