COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Genesis 45:1-15
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. Because of a famine in Canaan, Jacob sent his sons to buy food in Egypt. None of them knew Joseph was the prime minister of Egypt and was responsible for selling food. In this passage, Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, gives God the credit for his being a top ruler, and urges his brothers to tell Jacob that he and his family and herds should come to Egypt so that Joseph could care for them. With this reading we bring to a close a series of twelve stories of the Patriarchs.

Old Testament: Isaiah 56:1 (2-5) 6-7
God promises to gather all people to him.

Epistle: Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
The Jews' rejection of Christ results in the world's reconciliation. Paul now turns to address Gentiles, for he is …