Daily Readings - Thu Jul 13 2017
Genesis
18Then Judah went up to him and said: "Please, my lord, let your servant speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself.19My lord asked his servants, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'20And we answered, 'We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother's sons left, and his father loves him.'21"Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.'23But you told your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.'24When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said.25"Then our father said, 'Go back and buy a little more food.'26But we said, 'We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'27"Your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons.28One of them went away from me, and I said, "He has surely been torn to pieces." And I have not seen him since.29If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in misery.'
1Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presence!" So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.2And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.3Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.4Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!5And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.
Matthew
7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.12As you enter the home, give it your greeting.13If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.15I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on trust, forgiveness, and divine providence. The first reading from Genesis recounts the emotional reunion of Joseph with his brothers, highlighting Joseph's forgiveness and his recognition of God's plan in his life. Despite the betrayal he suffered, Joseph chooses mercy and reassures his brothers that their actions, though hurtful, were part of a larger divine plan for their salvation. This narrative underscores the themes of forgiveness and trust in God's providence.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus instructing His disciples to spread the Good News. He emphasizes reliance on God's providence, urging them to trust in divine care rather than material wealth. This teaching challenges us to embrace a life of faith and generosity, trusting that our needs will be met as we serve others. The message is clear: our mission is to share the love of God boldly, without attachment to worldly possessions.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Like Joseph, we can choose forgiveness and see God's hand at work. Like the disciples, we are called to live with faith and generosity, sharing the Gospel with confidence. May we embrace these lessons, trusting in God's providence and living with hearts full of mercy and faith.