Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 15, 2023
First Reading: Genesis 49.29-31, 33; 50.15-26
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.
Psalm 105
1Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!2Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!3Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!4Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!5Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,6O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!7He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.8He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,9the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,10which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant,11saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance."12When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it,13wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people,14he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,15saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!"16When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread,17he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.18His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron;19until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.20The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free;21he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions,22to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom.23Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.24And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes.25He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.26He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.27They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham.28He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words.29He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die.30Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings.31He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country.32He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land.33He struck down their vines and fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country.34He spoke, and the locusts came, young locusts without number,35which devoured all the vegetation in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground.36He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength.37Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.38Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.39He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night.40They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.41He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.42For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant.43So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.44And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil,45that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!
Gospel: Matthew 10.24-33
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
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of trust, forgiveness, and divine providence. The first reading from Genesis recounts the final moments of Jacob and the subsequent events as Joseph confronts his brothers. Jacob, nearing death, ensures he is buried in the land promised by God, symbolizing his unwavering trust in God's covenant. After Jacob's death, his brothers, fearing retribution, approach Joseph, who instead of vengeance, offers forgiveness. Joseph's profound statement, "You devised evil against me, but God turned it into good," illustrates his deep trust in God's plan, recognizing that even in adversity, God works for the good.
The Gospel from Matthew complements this narrative as Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges of following Him. He warns them that they will face persecution, just as He did, but encourages them not to fear. Jesus emphasizes that nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and that even the smallest details of their lives are known to God. He urges them to acknowledge Him publicly, promising that He will acknowledge them before the Father. This teaching underscores the importance of trust in God's providence and the courage to live according to one's faith, even in the face of adversity.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our trust in God's plan. Like Joseph, we are called to forgive and trust that God can transform evil into good. Like the disciples, we are challenged to have the courage to stand firm in our faith, knowing that God cares for us deeply. In our daily lives, we face many challenges, but these readings remind us to approach them with faith, trusting in God's providence and living with the courage to acknowledge Him in all we do. Let us embrace this trust and courage, knowing that God is always with us, guiding us through life's trials.