Daily Readings - Sat Jul 13 2019
Genesis
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
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
Matthew
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
The first reading from Genesis brings us to the end of Jacob’s life, where he gives final instructions to his sons and dies surrounded by his family. Joseph, now a powerful figure in Egypt, is met with fear by his brothers, who worry he will avenge the wrongs they committed against him. Instead, Joseph weeps and consoles them, explaining that the evil they intended was turned into good by God’s providence. This passage highlights themes of forgiveness, trust in God’s plan, and the enduring bonds of family. The second reading from Matthew’s Gospel finds Jesus preparing his disciples for the challenges they will face. He warns them that they will be persecuted and that nothing done in secret will remain hidden. Jesus encourages them to speak boldly and not fear those who can harm the body, for their true value lies in their relationship with God. He reminds them that even the smallest details of their lives are known to the Father, who cares for them deeply.
Both readings invite us to reflect on trust in God’s providence and the courage to live according to His will. In Genesis, Joseph’s forgiveness and trust in God’s plan are evident as he sees beyond the evil intentions of his brothers to the greater good that unfolded. In Matthew, Jesus calls the disciples—and us—to trust in the Father’s care, even in the face of persecution or uncertainty. The readings remind us that our lives are part of a larger story, one that God is writing with love and purpose.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace forgiveness and trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem difficult or unjust. Like Joseph, we are called to let go of resentment and see how God can transform suffering into grace. Like the disciples, we are invited to live with courage, knowing that our worth is rooted in God’s love, not in the opinions or actions of others. Let us strive to trust in God’s providence, to forgive freely, and to live with the confidence that we are valued and cared for by our Heavenly Father.