Daily Readings - Wed Jul 09 2025
Genesis
55And being hungry, the people cried out to Pharaoh, asking for provisions. And he said to them: "Go to Joseph. And do whatever he will tell you.56Then the famine increased daily in all the land. And Joseph opened all of the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. For the famine had oppressed them also57And all the provinces came to Egypt, to buy food and to temper the misfortune of their destitution
5And they entered into the land of Egypt with the others who traveled to buy. For the famine was in the land of Canaan6And Joseph was governor in the land of Egypt, and grain was sold under his direction to the people. And when his brothers had reverenced hi7and he had recognized them, he spoke harshly, as if to foreigners, questioning them: "Where did you come from?" And they responded, "From the land of Canaan, to buy necessary provisions.17Therefore, he delivered them into custody for three days18Then, on the third day, he brought them out of prison, and he said: "Do as I have said, and you will live. For I fear God19If you are peaceful, let one of your brothers be bound in prison. Then you may go away and carry the grain that you have bought to your houses20And bring your youngest brother to me, so that I may be able to test your words, and you may not die." They did as he had said21and they spoke to one another: "We deserve to suffer these things, because we have sinned against our brother, seeing the anguish of his soul, when he begged us and we would not listen. For that reason, this tribulation has come upon us.22And Reuben, one of them, said: "Did not I say to you, ‘Do not sin against the boy,’ and you would not listen to me? See, his blood is exacted.23But they did not know that Joseph understood, because he was speaking to them through an interpreter24And he turned himself away briefly and wept. And returning, he spoke to them
Matthew
1And having called together his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to cure every sickness and every infirmity2Now the names of the twelve Apostles are these: the First, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother3James of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector, and James of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus4Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him5Jesus sent these twelve, instructing them, saying: "Do not travel by the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter into the city of the Samaritans6but instead go to the sheep who have fallen away from the house of Israel7And going forth, preach, saying: ‘For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, mercy, and God's providence. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Joseph and his brothers during the time of famine. Joseph, now a powerful leader in Egypt, confronts his brothers who have come seeking food. Though he tests them and speaks harshly, his ultimate act of weeping and offering them grain reveals a deeper truth: God works through human frailty and sin to bring about redemption. Joseph’s story reminds us that even in the midst of suffering and uncertainty, God’s plan unfolds in ways we cannot fully understand.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus and the mission of the Twelve Apostles. Jesus sends his disciples out into the world with authority to heal and preach, instructing them to go first to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel." This mission is rooted in trust—trust in God’s providence and trust in the power of the message they carry. Like Joseph, the disciples are called to step into the unknown, relying not on their own strength but on God’s grace. This reading challenges us to consider how we, too, are called to be instruments of God’s mercy and healing in the world.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to God’s call in our own lives. Like Joseph’s brothers, we may find ourselves in situations where we must confront our past sins or trust in God’s providence despite uncertainty. Like the apostles, we are called to step out in faith, even when the path ahead seems unclear. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God’s plan, show mercy to others, and be open to the ways God is calling you to serve. In doing so, we become part of the larger story of redemption that God is weaving through history.