Daily Readings - Wed Jul 12 2017
First Reading - Genesis 41.55-57; 42.5-7a, 17-24
Genesis
And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.
And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.And he put them all together into ward three days.And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.
Gospel - Matthew 10.1-7
Matthew
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on leadership, trust, and divine providence. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Joseph, now a powerful leader in Egypt, as he confronts his brothers who have come seeking grain during a famine. Joseph's harsh demeanor and the test he imposes on his brothers reveal his wisdom and a deeper desire to discern their character. This story highlights themes of forgiveness and the complexities of human relationships, as Joseph's brothers grapple with guilt and remorse for their past actions.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus, who commissions His twelve apostles to spread the message of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus entrusts them with authority to heal and cast out spirits, instructing them to focus their mission on the lost sheep of Israel. This passage underscores the importance of trust and obedience to God's call, as the apostles are sent forth with a specific purpose, relying on God's guidance and provision.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to God's call in our own lives. Like Joseph, we may face situations where we are called to lead with compassion and wisdom, even in the face of past hurts. Like the apostles, we are invited to trust in God's plan and to step out in faith, sharing the Good News with others. These stories remind us that our lives are part of a larger narrative, one shaped by God's providence and our response to His call. May we, like Joseph and the apostles, embrace our roles with humility, trust, and a willingness to serve others in love.