Daily Readings - Wed Jul 10 2019
Genesis
55When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do."56So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.57Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.
5Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.6Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.7Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. "Where do you come from?" he said. They said, "From the land of Canaan, to buy food."17And he put them all together in custody for three days.18On the third day Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God:19if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households,20and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die." And they did so.21Then they said to one another, "In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us."22And Reuben answered them, "Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood."23They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them.24Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.
Matthew
1And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.2The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;4Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.5These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans,6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.7And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, mission, and the providence of God. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Joseph, a man who, despite being wronged by his brothers, rises to a position of power in Egypt. When his brothers come to him seeking relief from the famine, Joseph tests their integrity and ultimately reveals his identity, teaching them about the consequences of their actions and the mercy of God. This story highlights Joseph's wisdom and his ability to trust in God's plan, even in the face of personal betrayal.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus, who sends out his twelve disciples to proclaim the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus entrusts them with authority to heal and to cast out unclean spirits, but he also gives them clear instructions: they are to go only to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel." This mission is not about seeking comfort or recognition but about faithfully carrying out the task entrusted to them. Like Joseph, the disciples are called to trust in God's providence and to remain focused on their mission, even when the road ahead is uncertain.
Both readings remind us that our lives are not our own, but are part of a larger story shaped by God's plan. Joseph's story teaches us that even in the midst of suffering and betrayal, God is at work, guiding events toward a greater good. The Gospel reminds us that we, like the disciples, are called to trust in God's providence and to be faithful stewards of the mission entrusted to us. In our daily lives, we are invited to embrace this same trust and faithfulness, whether in our relationships, our work, or our struggles. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God's plan, even when the path is unclear? Are we willing to step out in faith, as Joseph and the disciples did, to fulfill the mission God has given us? May we, like them, find the courage to trust and to serve, knowing that God is always with us.