Daily Readings - Wed Jul 09 2025
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 trust, mercy, and God's providence. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Joseph and his brothers during the time of famine. Joseph, now a powerful leader in Egypt, confronts his brothers who have come seeking food. Though he tests them and speaks harshly, his ultimate act of weeping and offering them grain reveals a deeper truth: God works through human frailty and sin to bring about redemption. Joseph’s story reminds us that even in the midst of suffering and uncertainty, God’s plan unfolds in ways we cannot fully understand.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus and the mission of the Twelve Apostles. Jesus sends his disciples out into the world with authority to heal and preach, instructing them to go first to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel." This mission is rooted in trust—trust in God’s providence and trust in the power of the message they carry. Like Joseph, the disciples are called to step into the unknown, relying not on their own strength but on God’s grace. This reading challenges us to consider how we, too, are called to be instruments of God’s mercy and healing in the world.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to God’s call in our own lives. Like Joseph’s brothers, we may find ourselves in situations where we must confront our past sins or trust in God’s providence despite uncertainty. Like the apostles, we are called to step out in faith, even when the path ahead seems unclear. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God’s plan, show mercy to others, and be open to the ways God is calling you to serve. In doing so, we become part of the larger story of redemption that God is weaving through history.