I am Joseph your brother! A story of an immigrant and the challenge to Korean-American Catholics The moving story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) is rich and particularly meaningful to all immigrants, first or second generation. This American land of ours, our chosen and adopted home, is a land of immigrants. The year 2003 marks the 100 th anniversary of Korean immigrants to the U.S. Korean-American Catholics are at a critical juncture in their self-understanding and search for the meaning of their existence and for their Gospel-led mission in this New World. Joseph’s experience and character present us as Catholics a vital scriptural vision and some unique challenges. 1. A story ‘written by exiles and for exiles’: Joseph and his brothers The story of Joseph and his brothers has been considered as a ‘novella’ that could have stood alone as its own book in the bible. It is ‘written by exiles and for exiles’. As a refresher, here is a brief outline. Joseph was sold into Egypt (37). It was jealousy and hatred that prompted his brothers to conspire selling him: Israel, his father, made him a long tunic (37:3); “They hated him all the more because of his talk about his dream” (37:8); “Here comes the master dreamer (37:19).” Sold to Egypt, Joseph became a personal attendant of Potiphar, a courtier of Pharaoh and his chief steward. His wife tempted Joseph but he refused. Thus he was accused of making sport of her and thrown into jail (39). In jail, Joseph interprets the dreams of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker of Pharaoh. As predicted by Joseph, while the chief baker was doomed, the cupbearer was restored to his previous office. But he gave no thought to Joseph; he had forgotten him (40). When Pharaoh had dreams, no one was able to interpret them. Then, the cupbearer remembered Joseph, and he was brought into Pharaoh’s court and interpreted Pharaoh’s dream. Pharaoh declares to all his officials: “Could we find anyone like him, a man so endowed with the spirit of God” (41:38) and places Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Joseph settles down, marries and has two children. When no one was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph predicted seven years of catastrophe and seven years of prosperity. The seven years of prosperity and seven years of famine take place as predicted by Joseph, who grew in power and trust. Joseph’s brothers’ make the first journey to Egypt in search of rations of grain. When they meet Joseph, his brothers do not recognize him, but Joseph does. Joseph accuses them of spying and tells them to bring Benjamin (42). The brothers make the second journey to Egypt, accompanying Benjamin (43), and undergo the final test (44). Finally, the truth is revealed. “I am you brother Joseph, whom you have sold into Egypt. But do not be distressed, and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me there. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you” (45:4-5). Migration to Egypt (46). Settlement in Goshen (47); Joseph’s land policy; Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob’s testament (49). After Jacob’s death, brothers plea for forgiveness. But Joseph says: “Have no fear. Can I take the place of God? Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it good, to achieve his present end, the survival of many people” (50:19-20). “Joseph’s story is a story of exile and alienation, of loss and deception, of oppression and of pain. It is the story of countless exiles, over many centuries and across 1