Daily Readings - Wed Jul 12 2023
Genesis
55When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph and do what he tells you."56When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt.57And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.
5So Israel's sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.6Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph's brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.7As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. "Where do you come from?" he asked. "From the land of Canaan," they replied, "to buy food."17And he put them all in custody for three days.18On the third day, Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God:19If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.20But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die." This they proceeded to do.21They said to one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us."22Reuben replied, "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood."23They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.24He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.
Matthew
1He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;4Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on leadership, responsibility, and the call to serve others. The first reading from Genesis presents Joseph, now a governor in Egypt, who uses his authority to test his brothers, leading them towards repentance. Despite their past wrongs, Joseph's actions are guided by a deeper purpose—to bring his family together and ensure their survival. His leadership is marked by wisdom and compassion, as he confronts them with their past sins, prompting them to acknowledge their guilt and seek redemption.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus, who commissions his twelve disciples to spread the message of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus gives them authority to heal and cast out spirits, instructing them to focus their mission on the lost sheep of Israel. This mission is not about personal gain or recognition but about serving others with humility and love. The disciples are called to embody the values of the kingdom, bringing hope and healing to those in need.
Both readings remind us that true leadership and authority are not about power but about service. Joseph and the disciples demonstrate that our positions and talents are gifts meant to be used for the greater good. In our daily lives, we are called to lead with compassion, using our unique roles to uplift and serve others. Let us embrace this call with humility, recognizing that our actions have the power to bring people closer to God and to each other.