Daily Readings - Sat Jul 13 2019
Genesis
29Then he commanded them and said to them, "I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,30in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place.31There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah--33When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.
15When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him."16So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died,17'Say to Joseph, Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him.18His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants."19But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?20As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.21So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.22So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father's house. Joseph lived 110 years.23And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph's own.24And Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."25Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here."26So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
Matthew
24"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.25It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.26"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.27What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.30But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.31Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.32So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,33but whoever denies 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.