Genesis 41:46

But this also, which he says, "about thirty years old", must be considered. "Joseph was thirty years old" when he was released from his chains and, having interpreted the dream of Pharaoh, was made ruler of Egypt, and in the time of plenty gathered wheat, so that in the time of famine he might have what he could distribute. I think that the thirty years of Joseph went before, as a type of the thirty years of the Savior. For this Joseph gathered not such wheat as that Joseph in Egypt, but true and heavenly wheat, so that, the wheat having been gathered in the time of plenty, he might have what he could distribute when famine had been sent into Egypt, "not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the word of God". And so he gathers from the prophets, from the law, from the apostles the words of abundance, so that when now no more books are written, nor is any new instrument composed, nor are apostles sent, then he may distribute those things which had been brought together by Jesus into the storehouses of the apostles — that is, into their souls and the souls of all the saints — and may nourish Egypt, imperiled by famine, and especially his brothers, of whom it is written: "I will declare your name to my brothers, in the midst of the church I will sing to you". Other men too have words of patience and words of justice and the words of the remaining virtues; this is the wheat which Joseph distributed to the Egyptians. But the grain which he gives to his brothers, that is, to his disciples, is another kind, from the land of Goshen, from that land which looks toward the east: the wheat of the Gospel, the wheat of the apostles.

Far from idly considering that there is merely reference here to his age, let us learn that there is no excuse for anyone to neglect virtue or any grounds for claiming the pretext of youth when virtue needs to be demonstrated. See, after all, this man: he was not only young but also charming in appearance and handsome to behold. It is possible, you see, for a young man not to be blessed with bodily charm. But in addition to his youth this man was also charming in appearance and good looking. Joseph was near the bloom of youth when he was captured and became a slave. He was in fact, the text says, seventeen when he was carried off into Egypt. Then he was in the burning heat of youth when the wanton Egyptian, who happened to be his employer, set upon him without overcoming the good man's resistance. Then came prison and his hardship there for such a long period of time; he remained firm as iron, not only not becoming less resistant but even gaining greater strength. Joseph had grace from on high, you see, to strengthen him. Since he had previously given evidence of every virtue from his own resources, accordingly he was summoned from prison to take charge of all of Egypt.After hearing this, let us never despair in the midst of distress or become frustrated by following our own reasoning. Rather, let us give evidence of sound endurance and be buoyed up by hope, secure in the knowledge of our Lord's resourcefulness and the fact that instead of ignoring us and abandoning us to the experience of troubles, he wants to crown us with a resplendent garland for our struggles. It is for this that all holy people have been distinguished. Hence the apostles also said, "It is through great distress that we must enter the kingdom of God." Christ himself said to the disciples, "In the world you will have distress." So let us not be upset at the thought of distress but rather listen to Paul's statement that "those who wish to live religiously in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Far from being surprised or troubled, let us endure developments with complete fortitude and endurance, having regard not to the distress but to the gain accruing to us from it. This transaction, you see, is spiritual. And just as people intent on making money and being involved in a transaction of this life would succeed in increasing their wealth in no other way than by being exposed to great…