Today the Church begins the reading of the Book of Exodus. The entire sad story of how the people of Israel are treated in Egypt begins with a simple statement, “A new king, who knew nothing of Joseph, came to power in Egypt.” Ignorance.

The first of the two forces driving the Pharaoh is ignorance. He does not know the true history of the relationship between the Egyptians and the Israelites. Specifically he is ignorant of the role of Joseph who has served as the bridge.

This ignorance leads to the second and most dangerous force, fear. “Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase; otherwise, in time of war they too may join our enemies
to fight against us, and so leave our country.”

Blinded by ignorance and fear, Pharaoh acts in what he erronesously believes is the best interest of his people. We know how this story ends.

This opening is a cautionary tale for all of us. When we allow ourselves to be governed by ignorance and, worst of all, fear we do not make good choices. We are unable to discern God’s will. Perhaps today is a day to ask ourselves, where in our own lives are ignorance and fear, particularly fear of those who are foreign/different still having too much influence in our lives.