The brothers of Joseph have no alternative but to go to Egypt to buy corn for their whole world is suffering from famine When they get there  they do not recognise their brother, but Joseph knows them; they do recognise, however,  that their predicament is the result of their crime against their brother. We do not usually see punishment for our sins in our present life. 

We live in a now that is touching heaven where we hope to know God and thus continue a life without end. For Joseph and his brothers their world is the only reality and righteousness and sin have their rewards here and now. Jesus' friends are chosen by the Lord to spread the Good News that our lives do not end with our deaths in this world. 

He commissions them with his own powers over evil and sickness and here we find the nucleus of our Church and our priesthood. Jesus is very careful to ensure that the Good News should be preached exclusively to God's chosen people; it is only after the completion of his mission  on earth that the Good News will be preached to all men. 

Dear Lord, we have been chosen by you to live a righteous life on this earth to prepare us to see your Glory. May your mother's pleas on our behalf together with those of your saints serve to strengthen us who are still striving in this world.