When famine spread across the land, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to look for food. There, Joseph, their brother, whom they did not recognize supplied them with food.

Joseph yearned to see his father and younger brother, Benjamin. No longer able to maintain his secret, he broke down and wept as he revealed the truth to them. Knowing how shamefully they had treated their brother, they were at first apprehensive, not unlike their father and uncle in the meeting we read earlier.

They feared revenge, because little did they understand Joseph's holiness and his participation in the plan of God to save not only them but all of Egypt from starvation. Joseph knew that his special calling was not for his own benefit, but he loved the words that Jesus would proclaim centuries later: "The gift you have received; give as a gift."

Rarely, if ever, can we have as clear a perception of God's plan as Joseph; yet, in faith, we must continue to see how blessed we have been, to count our blessings, to count not like a miser or hoarder, but to share, to give in proportion to what has been given to us, given freely in service and in love.

In all human relationships there are grievances, real or imagined. We all know that if we do not forgive those who have wronged us, we perpetuate un-forgiveness and resentment.

Forgiveness is at the heart of every good story because there are always grievances. Without forgiveness there can never be a happy ending; not in real life or even in the most "feel good fiction".

True forgiveness does not change the past, but it certainly-changes the future.