Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "Send everyone away from me." So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me." And they came closer. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me; do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there, since there are five more years of famine to come, so that you and your household and all that you have will not come to poverty.

Monday: Genesis 39

Tuesday: Genesis 40

Wednesday: Genesis 41

Thursday: Genesis 42

Friday: Genesis 43

Weekly Prayer

Morning: I thank you, Lord, for a new day to follow you more closely. Help me live this day to the full, proclaiming Christ in all I say and do. I trust that you go before me and are with me always.

Evening: Thank you, Lord, for watching over me today. Forgive my transgressions and strengthen me to forgive others. Give me rest this night and heal what requires your attention, so that when I wake, I may faithfully do your will in the world. 

Steps for Reading Scripture Using Lectio Divina

1. Lectio: Read the text slowly and prayerfully, listening for the word that God has prepared for you. 

2. Meditatio: Read it again. When a word or phrase strikes you, rest with it. Allow it to speak, reflecting on what it means to you.

3. Oratio: Pray. Enter into a loving conversation with God. How is God speaking to you through this word of phrase?

4. Contemplatio: Release the word or phrase and read the text once more. Rest in God’s presence; God’s transforming embrace. Contemplation is not your action or doing, but allowing God to act within you.