If Joseph was alive today, might Joseph identify as gay, or bi, or trans or queer? What if young Joseph asked Jacob for a princess dress? And what if Jacob said yes? What if Jacob responded with affirming and lavish love?
That is the other key difference in the stories. When Jesus died, the human authorities thought they had won, but they didn't have the last word. God had the last word. The resurrection is a witness to the power of God's love even over the machinations of death. Even when the world is loveless, even when the world would sacrifice some of our siblings, God will conquer. God will have the last word. As people who follow the loving, liberating, life giving God, it is our work to take the knives out of the hands of those who think they are enacting justice. And God takes pride when we keep on marching.
This Advent, I am not going to counsel you to be patient. Instead I say, be impatient. Be impatient for the coming of the reign of love. Be impatient for Christ to reign in glory. Let your impatience fuel your work for justice.
