Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 12, 2019
First Reading: Genesis 46.1-7, 28-30
1So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.2And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!Here I am," he replied.3"I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.4I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes."5Then Jacob left Beersheba, and Israel's sons took their father Jacob and their children and their wives in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to transport him.6They also took with them their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt.7He took with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons and his daughters and granddaughters-all his offspring.28Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen,29Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.30Israel said to Joseph, "Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive."
Psalm 37
1Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;2for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.4Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.5Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:6He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.8Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil.9For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.10A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.11But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.12The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;13but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.14The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.15But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.16Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;17for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.18The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever.19In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.20But the wicked will perish: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish-vanish like smoke.21The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;22those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off.23If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;24though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.25I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.26They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.27Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.28For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;29the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.30The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.31The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.32The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives;33but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.34Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.35I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,36but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.37Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.38But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.39The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.40The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
Gospel: Matthew 10.16-23
16I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.18On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.21"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.22All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.23When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on trust and perseverance in the face of uncertainty and adversity. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Jacob, who, guided by a vision from God, embarks on a journey to Egypt with his entire family. Despite the unknowns, Jacob trusts in God's promise to make his descendants a great nation, exemplifying unwavering faith. This journey culminates in a heartfelt reunion with his son Joseph, highlighting the strength of family bonds and divine providence.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus instructing His disciples as they prepare for their mission. Jesus forewarns them of impending persecutions and challenges, urging them to trust in the Holy Spirit for guidance. He emphasizes that perseverance through trials will lead to salvation, even when facing opposition from those closest to them. This teaching underscores the importance of steadfast faith amidst adversity, reassuring the disciples of God's presence and support.
Both readings converge on the theme of trust in God's plan. Jacob's journey and the disciples' mission illustrate that faith is not about avoiding challenges but navigating them with confidence in divine guidance. In our own lives, we are called to embrace this trust, whether in personal struggles or communal hardships. Like Jacob and the disciples, we are reminded to persevere, knowing that God's Spirit will guide and sustain us. Let us draw strength from these stories, trusting in God's plan and enduring trials with faith, for it is through perseverance that we find salvation and fulfill our purpose.