One of the most popular men of the Old Testament, Joseph lived an honorable and exciting life. It is difficult to read his life story without tears, especially the dramatic scene where he forgave his brothers for betraying him.

In exile Joseph had developed a deep relationship with Pharaoh and the Egyptian people. He had come to their country as a slave, suffering unjustly, vindicating himself and then enabling them to avoid starvation. Joseph was in a sense a savior.

How then was it possible that in a few generations a king came to power "who knew nothing of Joseph"? It could be only because the new king failed to acknowledge what Joseph had done, and as a result, the Hebrew people suffered enormously.

We need to give honor and our most profound respect to Jesus our Savior. He came to our world as a servant, suffered unjustly and gave us salvation. Throughout the centuries martyrs have given their lives to keep this memory alive in our hearts.

Kateri Tekiwitha, whom we honor today, was born in the Mohawk village near Auriesville New York in 1656. Her father was the Mohawk chief and her mother a Christian Algonquin. She was orphaned at a very early age when her parents slaughtered by the Iroquois and she was taken captive.

Some years later she was greatly scarred by small pox. At the age of 20 she was baptized by French Jesuits, the bitter enemies of the Iroquois. Subjected to great abuse and ostracism she fled to a Christian village near Montreal and dedicated herself to Christ, professing a vow of virginity.

Certainly she must have known and most definitely live in her life in the example of Joseph, forgiving not only his immediate family but all whose lives impacted on his in a negative and prejudicial manner.