Daily Readings - Fri Jul 14 2017
First Reading - Genesis 46.1-7, 28-30
Genesis
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes.And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:His sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt.And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen.And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
Gospel - Matthew 10.16-23
Matthew
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on trust and divine providence. The first reading from Genesis recounts Jacob's journey to Egypt, guided by God's promise to make his descendants a great nation. Despite the uncertainty of leaving Canaan, Jacob trusts in God's assurance, exemplifying unwavering faith. The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus instructing His disciples on facing persecution. He warns them of trials but promises the Holy Spirit's guidance, emphasizing perseverance and trust in God's plan.
Both readings highlight the theme of trust amidst adversity. Jacob's story shows God's faithfulness in leading His people, while Jesus teaches His disciples to rely on divine assistance during hardships. This connection underscores the enduring message of trusting God, even when the path is uncertain.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace faith when challenges arise. Like Jacob and the disciples, we are reminded that following God's will may lead to difficulties, but His grace and guidance are ever-present. The moral lesson is clear: perseverance and trust in God's providence are essential. As we navigate life's uncertainties, may we find strength in knowing that God is with us, guiding us through every trial.