Daily Readings - Sat Jul 15 2017
Genesis
29Then he gave them these instructions: "I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite,30the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite, along with the field.31There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah.33When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people.
15When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?"16So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died:17'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept.18His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said.19But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God?20You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.21So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.22Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father's family. He lived a hundred and ten years23and saw the third generation of Ephraim's children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph's knees.24Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."25And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place."26So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.
Matthew
24"A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.25It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!26"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
Sermon
Dear friends, today’s readings invite us to reflect on the profound theme of trust in God’s providence. In Genesis, we witness the final moments of Jacob and the forgiveness of Joseph. Jacob, nearing death, ensures his burial in Canaan, the land promised by God. After Jacob’s passing, Joseph’s brothers fear retribution, but Joseph, embodying forgiveness, reassures them that God transformed their evil actions into good, leading to the salvation of many. This story highlights Joseph’s unwavering trust in God’s plan, even amidst adversity.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples to trust in God’s care despite the challenges they will face. He reminds them that they are not above their teacher and should not fear those who can harm the body. Jesus emphasizes that God values each of us more than many sparrows, reassuring us of His presence in our lives. He encourages openness in faith, promising acknowledgment before the Father for those who acknowledge Him.
These readings unite in their call to trust in God’s providence. Joseph’s forgiveness and Jesus’ teachings remind us to face life’s challenges with faith, knowing God weaves all events for good. In our daily lives, let us embrace this trust, forgiving others and standing firm in our faith, confident in God’s loving care. May we, like Joseph, see God’s hand in our struggles and, like the disciples, courageously live out our faith, trusting in God’s plan.