Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/140

 He had,  apparently,  lost  everything  now,  home,  freedom  and  honour, but he  still  kept  what  was  best  of  all,  his  innocence  and  his  confidence in  .God. Every kind  of  external  misfortune  had  befallen  him, but he  still  had  a good  conscience,  and  the  peace  of  God  in  his  heart, so that,  in  spite  of  everything,  he  was  still  inwardly  happy. But we  ask: “Why did  Almighty  God  allow  this  holy,  innocent  man  to  be  burdened by so  many  troubles?”  The  answer  is:  “He  allowed  it  in  order  that Joseph might  be  confirmed  in  virtue,  and  prepared  by  these  humiliations for his  future  exalted  position. All the  sufferings  which  God  allows  to befall  the  just  are  for  this  same  end;  only  their  exaltation  does  not always take  place  in  this  world,  but  generally  in  the  next.”

God does  not  forsake  his  servants.  God  was  with  Joseph,  that  is, He comforted  and  upheld  him  in  his  sufferings  and  enabled  the  jailer to recognise  his  innocence  and  usefulness,  and  thus  to  lighten  his captivity. We learn  by  this  story  of  Joseph  that  Almighty  God  does not forsake  those  who  are  His,  and  that  we  ought  always  to  trust  in Him,  have  recourse  to  Him,  and  submit  ourselves  to  His  will. You can see  now  why  the  Church  (by  the  mouth  of  her  priests)  says “Dominus vobiscum”  to  us  so  often;  for  these  words  express  her  wish that God  may  always  be  with  us  by  His  grace. The response:  “And with thy  spirit”,  equally  expresses  the  wish  that  God  may,  by  His  grace, dwell in  the  soul  of  the  priest.

Compassion. When he  was  set  over  the  other  prisoners,  Joseph was not  rough  and  harsh  with  them,  but,  on  the  contrary,  sympathised with them,  and  comforted  those  who  were  in  trouble. “Blessed are  the merciful, for  they  shall  obtain  mercy.”

Humility. Joseph at  once  gave  it  to  be  understood  that  the  interpretation of  the  dreams  must  come  from  God,  and  that  of  himself  he could  give  none. He thus  gave  the  glory  to  God.

Ingratitude. The chief  butler  behaved  most  ungratefully  towards Joseph by  forgetting  him  in  the  time  of  his  own  prosperity. Was not that horrible? But to  whom  is  it  that  we  owe  most  gratitude? Is it not  to  God? Thanksgiving is  a necessary  part  of  the  worship  of  God. We should  not  thank  Him  by  words  only,  but  also  by  deed,  and  by doing  His  holy  will. He who  offends  God  grievously  proves  that  he is  thoroughly  ungrateful.

You have  often  been  ungrateful  to  God,  and also to  your  parents  and  superiors,  by  vexing  and  grieving  them. Think of  all  the  benefits  both  to  soul  and  body  which  you  have received from  God! Say your  morning  and  night  prayers,  and your grace  at  meal-times  devoutly.

The chief  butler  forgot  Joseph  who,  all  the  time,  was  lingering in  prison. Christians are  very  apt  to  forget  their  departed