When his sons informed him that Joseph, whom he had thought dead for the last 22 years, was not only alive but ruler of Egypt, “his heart became numb” (Gen. 45:26). The Hebrew verb "פוג" suggests that his heart shut down. Robert Alter translates it, “His heart stopped.”
Then, as the brothers spilled forth their astonishing story, “the spirit of their father Jacob revived” (45:27). “Dead” and alive again. A smile erupted on that wrinkled face. And taking a deep breath, he said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die” (45:28).
All this time, the poor father thought his son was dead. BUT he was alive.
It reminds me of that other, better story about another Son, whom all his followers thought was dead. And, indeed, he was dead, for three days anyway. BUT, Christ is risen.
As we seek to follow Jesus in our lives and vocations, his resurrection becomes the universal “BUT” to every heartbroken fact of our existence.
-When we watch our beloved parent, or friend lowered into the grave, we say, “BUT, Christ is risen.”
-When we see our families or communities torn asunder and wonder if there is any hope for the future, we say, “BUT, Christ is risen.”
-When we stumble and fall, get up only to stumble yet again, limping our way along as mortal, weak, weary disciples, we say, “BUT, Christ is risen.”
And because of that “BUT,” because of that divine and joyful rebuttal, Julian of Norwich put it this way: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” Jesus is alive and well and reigning over us as King of kings and Lord of lords.
It’s no exaggeration to say that that makes all the difference in the world.
Happy Easter 🥂
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