abuse me, and when he heard me cry, he left the garment which I held, and fled out.”
Putiphar, believing his wife too easily[1], was very angry and caused the innocent young man to be cast into prison[2].
COMMENTARY.
Piety. The fate of Joseph was a hard one, being thus torn away from his home and father, and taken to the market, to be sold as a slave. But Joseph did not despond. No doubt, the wrong he had suffered made his heart ache; but he trusted in God, prayed diligently, and submitted himself to God’s will. He was a true worshipper of God. The end proved that his trust in Him was justified. By Almighty God’s providence, Joseph was bought by Putiphar, who began to love him on account of his virtues, and placed him, the least among his slaves, in a position of trust over his whole household. Therefore, St Paul says: “Godliness is profitable to all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (i Tim. 4, 8).
Performance of the duty of our state in life. Because Joseph feared God, he served his master so faithfully and zealously that Putiphar loved and praised him, and made him his steward over everything. He who wishes to serve God must, before all things, fulfil the duties of his state of life, faithfully and conscientiously.
Holy fear of God. A deep fear of God, and a hatred of sin were the fruits of Joseph’s piety. When tempted to sin, he cried out, full of horror: “How can I do this wicked thing, and sin against my God!” He said to himself: “Mortal sin is the greatest of all evils.' How could I offend the Lord my God who has so graciously created, preserved and protected mel” The fear of God is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost.
The blessing attending piety. In the same way that God blessed Laban, for Jacob’s sake, so did He bless Putiphar, for the sake of the God fearing Joseph. Holy servants and holy children are sure to bring a blessing on a house.
Scandal. Putiphar’s wife tried to induce Joseph to sin against the Sixth Commandment. Had he listened to this bad woman, he would have lost the grace and friendship of God. She wished to do him a spiritual injury, and thereby sinned also against the Fifth Commandment.
Calumny. Putiphar’s wife calumniated Joseph, and accused him falsely to her husband, so as to revenge herself on him for having
