Daily Readings - Thu Jul 13 2023
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on trust in God’s providence and the call to live with simplicity and generosity. In the first reading, Judah steps forward to plead with Joseph, unaware that Joseph is his brother. Judah’s words reveal a deep trust in God’s plan, even in the face of uncertainty. He acknowledges the suffering of his father and the delicate situation of his brother Benjamin, showing a sense of responsibility and compassion. This moment marks a turning point for Judah, who has grown from a brother who once callously sold Joseph into slavery to one who now takes responsibility for his family’s well-being. The reading reminds us that our trials can lead to growth and that trust in God’s plan, even when we do not fully understand it, is essential.
In the Gospel, Jesus sends out his disciples with a clear mission: to preach the kingdom of heaven, to heal the sick, and to cast out demons. He instructs them to travel lightly, without material possessions or concern for comfort, trusting that God will provide for their needs. This teaching challenges us to live simply and to rely on God’s providence. Jesus emphasizes that the laborer is worthy of their portion, but true worth is found in trusting God and living generously. The disciples’ mission is not just about what they do but about how they live—free from attachment to worldly goods and fully dependent on God.
These readings relate to each other in their emphasis on trust and surrender. Judah’s trust in God’s plan, despite the unknown, mirrors the disciples’ trust in God’s providence as they go out on mission. Both stories call us to let go of our need for control and security and instead to embrace a life of faith and simplicity. In our daily lives, we are invited to trust that God is at work, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust God enough to let go of our fears and attachments? Are we willing to live with simplicity and generosity, knowing that God will provide? May we, like Judah and the disciples, step forward in faith, trusting that God’s plan is greater than our own.