Daily Readings - Sat Jul 15 2017

First Reading - Genesis 49.29-31, 33; 50.15-26

²⁹And he instructed them, saying: "I am being gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the double cave, which is in the field of Ephron the Hittite³⁰opposite Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought, along with its field, from Ephron the Hittite, as a possession for burial³¹There they buried him, with his wife Sarah." And there Isaac was buried with his wife Rebekah. There also Leah lies preserved³³And having finished these commands by which he instructed his sons, he drew his feet onto the bed, and he passed away. And he was gathered to his people

Chapter 50

¹⁵Now that he was dead, his brothers were afraid, and they said to one another: "Perhaps now he may remember the injury that he suffered and requite us for all the evil that we did to him.¹⁶So they sent a message to him, saying: "Your father instructed us before he died¹⁷that we should say these words to you from him: ‘I beg you to forget the wickedness of your brothers, and the sin and malice that they practiced against you.’ Likewise, we petition you to release the servants of the God of your father from this iniquity." Hearing this, Joseph wept¹⁸And his brothers went to him. And reverencing prostrate on the ground, they said, "We are your servants.¹⁹And he answered them: "Do not be afraid. Are we able to resist the will of God²⁰You devised evil against me. But God turned it into good, so that he might exalt me, just as you presently discern, and so that he might bring about the salvation of many peoples²¹Do not be afraid. I will pasture you and your little ones." And he consoled them, and he spoke mildly and leniently²²And he lived in Egypt with all his father’s house; and he survived for one hundred and ten years.²³And he saw the sons of Ephraim to the third generation. Likewise, the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born onto Joseph’s knees.²⁴After these things happened, he said to his brothers: "God will visit you after my death, and he will make you ascend from this land into the land which he swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.²⁵And when he had made them swear and had said, "God will visit you; carry my bones with you from this place,²⁶he died, having completed one hundred and ten years of his life. And having been embalmed with aromatics, he was laid to rest in a coffin in Egypt

Gospel - Matthew 10.24-33

Matthew

Chapter 10

²⁴The disciple is not above the teacher, nor is the servant above his master²⁵It is sufficient for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant, like his master. If they have called the Father of the family, ‘Beelzebub,’ how much more those of his household²⁶Therefore, do not fear them. For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed, nor hidden that shall not be known²⁷What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light. And what you hear whispered in the ear, preach above the rooftops²⁸And do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. But instead fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for one small coin? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father³⁰For even the hairs of your head have all been numbered³¹Therefore, do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows³²Therefore, everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father, who is in heaven³³But whoever will have denied me before men, I also will deny before my Father, who is in heaven

Sermon

Dear friends, today’s readings invite us to reflect on the profound theme of trust in God’s providence. In Genesis, we witness the final moments of Jacob and the forgiveness of Joseph. Jacob, nearing death, ensures his burial in Canaan, the land promised by God. After Jacob’s passing, Joseph’s brothers fear retribution, but Joseph, embodying forgiveness, reassures them that God transformed their evil actions into good, leading to the salvation of many. This story highlights Joseph’s unwavering trust in God’s plan, even amidst adversity. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples to trust in God’s care despite the challenges they will face. He reminds them that they are not above their teacher and should not fear those who can harm the body. Jesus emphasizes that God values each of us more than many sparrows, reassuring us of His presence in our lives. He encourages openness in faith, promising acknowledgment before the Father for those who acknowledge Him. These readings unite in their call to trust in God’s providence. Joseph’s forgiveness and Jesus’ teachings remind us to face life’s challenges with faith, knowing God weaves all events for good. In our daily lives, let us embrace this trust, forgiving others and standing firm in our faith, confident in God’s loving care. May we, like Joseph, see God’s hand in our struggles and, like the disciples, courageously live out our faith, trusting in God’s plan.