Genesis 49:29-33; 50:15-26 / Matthew 10:24-38
One of the real tests of family relationship and unity, and especially of sibling relationship and unity, is when the parents pass on.
With the passing of the parents, one of the areas of contention will be that of inheritance.
And no doubt when it comes to money and what they can get, sibling rivalry can turn really ugly when they bring each other to court in order to get more than their share and even to cut off the other siblings from the parents' will.
But in the 1st reading, with the death of Jacob, the matter at hand was not about inheritance and how much the twelve brothers are each going to get.
In fact, other than Joseph, the other eleven brothers were fearing what they could lose - their very lives.
With their father not around any more, they feared that Joseph will begin to exact revenge on them for the ill-treatment he received from them in the past.
And here is where Joseph showed what kind of a brother he is to them, and he also taught them what is the essential factor in sibling unity and relationship - forgiveness.
And with that he touched their hearts and their fears were dispelled and the lesson of forgiveness is one that they will pass down to the next generation.
Indeed, forgiveness must be proclaimed from the rooftops, and to forgive and to be forgiven is worth more than hundreds of sparrows
May forgiveness begin with the family. In that way, we declare Jesus and become His witnesses to those closest to us.