Daily Readings - Sat Jul 12 2025
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
In today’s readings, we encounter profound lessons about trust, forgiveness, and the enduring presence of God in our lives. The first reading from Genesis recounts the final moments of Jacob’s life, as he entrusts his sons with his final wishes and expresses faith in God’s promise to bring his people back to the land of Canaan. Joseph, in turn, exemplifies forgiveness and trust in God’s providence when he reassures his brothers, “Do not be afraid… God turned into good what you meant for evil.” This narrative reminds us that even in the face of suffering and betrayal, God’s plan prevails, and forgiveness is a powerful expression of faith.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples about the challenges of following him. He warns them that they will face persecution and misunderstanding, just as he did, but he encourages them not to fear. Jesus reminds them that nothing is hidden forever, and that their worth is far greater than the sparrows that God carefully watches over. He calls them to acknowledge him boldly before others, trusting that God will always be with them. This teaching invites us to reflect on our own courage and fidelity in living out our faith, even when it is difficult.
Both readings invite us to trust in God’s providence and to live with faith and courage. Jacob trusted that God would fulfill his promises, even when the future seemed uncertain. Joseph forgave his brothers, seeing that God had turned their evil intentions into good. Jesus calls us to do the same: to trust in God’s care, to forgive those who wrong us, and to live without fear, knowing that we are loved and valued beyond measure. May we, like these biblical figures, place our hope in God, who weaves all things into his plan for our good and the good of the world.