Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 12, 2019
First Reading: Genesis 46.1-7, 28-30
1So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.2And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here am I."3Then he said, "I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation.4I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes."5Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him.6They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him,7his sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.28He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen.29Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while.30Israel said to Joseph, "Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive."
Psalm 37
1Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!2For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.3Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.4Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.5Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.6He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!8Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.9For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.10In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.11But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.12The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him,13but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.14The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright;15their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.16Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.18The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever;19they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance.20But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish--like smoke they vanish away.21The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;22for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.23The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way;24though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.25I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.26He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.27Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.28For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.29The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.30The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.31The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.32The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death.33The LORD will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.34Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.35I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree.36But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.37Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.38But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.39The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.40The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
Gospel: Matthew 10.16-23
16"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.17Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,18and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.19When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.21Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,22and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on trust and perseverance in the face of uncertainty and adversity. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Jacob, who, guided by a vision from God, embarks on a journey to Egypt with his entire family. Despite the unknowns, Jacob trusts in God's promise to make his descendants a great nation, exemplifying unwavering faith. This journey culminates in a heartfelt reunion with his son Joseph, highlighting the strength of family bonds and divine providence.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus instructing His disciples as they prepare for their mission. Jesus forewarns them of impending persecutions and challenges, urging them to trust in the Holy Spirit for guidance. He emphasizes that perseverance through trials will lead to salvation, even when facing opposition from those closest to them. This teaching underscores the importance of steadfast faith amidst adversity, reassuring the disciples of God's presence and support.
Both readings converge on the theme of trust in God's plan. Jacob's journey and the disciples' mission illustrate that faith is not about avoiding challenges but navigating them with confidence in divine guidance. In our own lives, we are called to embrace this trust, whether in personal struggles or communal hardships. Like Jacob and the disciples, we are reminded to persevere, knowing that God's Spirit will guide and sustain us. Let us draw strength from these stories, trusting in God's plan and enduring trials with faith, for it is through perseverance that we find salvation and fulfill our purpose.