Readings for Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5
Joseph continues to punish his bothers for having sold him into slavery by tricking them into loosing Benjamin their youngest brother who had taken Joseph’s place as the apple of his father’s eye. When he confronts them and sees their willingness to protect and save Benjamin, he reveals himself to them and tells them that in selling him to Egypt, they did God’s will since through him many lives were saved.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
Psalm 105 recounts the actions of Joseph’s brothers, selling him into slavery in Egypt. It speaks of the rise of Joseph in the house of Pharaoh.
Gospel Mt 10:7-15
The instructions to the Apostles as Jesus sends them on their mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God are given. They are to go into the world without any provisions and will depend upon the generosity of others. The Lord gives them authority over all manner of diseases and afflictions but reminds them that they are not to charge for these gifts of healing.
Homily:
Since Sunday we have been following two parallel stories in scripture. In the Genesis readings we have been following tales from the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concluding in the last two days with stories of Joseph, the son of Jacob who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers who now find justice at the hands of the brother they wronged. In a twist befitting of a modern suspense movie, the plot is laid bare – God had taken their deceitful act of violence against their brother and turned it into one of mercy as Joseph saved multitudes in Egypt through his foresight in storing grain in reserve against the famine now affecting the land. In the final ironic twist, Joseph saves his brothers and father from that same famine.
In the Gospel we have been watching another of God’s stories unfold. This one affects us directly as we hear how the Lord sent out the seventy two on Sunday and now the twelve. It is as if the point is being driven home through the Teaching Magesterium of the Church. First we are prepared – we are given the grace we need for our mission. In the Gospel today, Jesus himself gives the instructions to the Apostles. It is his authority they take into the world. For us, we are prepared through the sacramental grace of the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, the Eucharist. It is our food for the missionary journey.
Like Joseph, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, we, the sons and daughters of God, adopted in Baptism are sent into the world to bring the Good News of the Kingdom of God to others. And what are we to say that is so important? We tell those we meet, thought our words and example that God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that who ever believes in Him will not die, but will have eternal life. It is a clear and simple message, but one many cannot understand. That is why we are sent, again and again, each day but especially today.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “The Recognition of Joseph by his Brothers” by Peter Cornelius, 1816-17
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5
Joseph continues to punish his bothers for having sold him into slavery by tricking them into loosing Benjamin their youngest brother who had taken Joseph’s place as the apple of his father’s eye. When he confronts them and sees their willingness to protect and save Benjamin, he reveals himself to them and tells them that in selling him to Egypt, they did God’s will since through him many lives were saved.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
Psalm 105 recounts the actions of Joseph’s brothers, selling him into slavery in Egypt. It speaks of the rise of Joseph in the house of Pharaoh.
Gospel Mt 10:7-15
The instructions to the Apostles as Jesus sends them on their mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God are given. They are to go into the world without any provisions and will depend upon the generosity of others. The Lord gives them authority over all manner of diseases and afflictions but reminds them that they are not to charge for these gifts of healing.
Homily:
Since Sunday we have been following two parallel stories in scripture. In the Genesis readings we have been following tales from the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concluding in the last two days with stories of Joseph, the son of Jacob who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers who now find justice at the hands of the brother they wronged. In a twist befitting of a modern suspense movie, the plot is laid bare – God had taken their deceitful act of violence against their brother and turned it into one of mercy as Joseph saved multitudes in Egypt through his foresight in storing grain in reserve against the famine now affecting the land. In the final ironic twist, Joseph saves his brothers and father from that same famine.
In the Gospel we have been watching another of God’s stories unfold. This one affects us directly as we hear how the Lord sent out the seventy two on Sunday and now the twelve. It is as if the point is being driven home through the Teaching Magesterium of the Church. First we are prepared – we are given the grace we need for our mission. In the Gospel today, Jesus himself gives the instructions to the Apostles. It is his authority they take into the world. For us, we are prepared through the sacramental grace of the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, the Eucharist. It is our food for the missionary journey.
Like Joseph, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, we, the sons and daughters of God, adopted in Baptism are sent into the world to bring the Good News of the Kingdom of God to others. And what are we to say that is so important? We tell those we meet, thought our words and example that God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that who ever believes in Him will not die, but will have eternal life. It is a clear and simple message, but one many cannot understand. That is why we are sent, again and again, each day but especially today.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “The Recognition of Joseph by his Brothers” by Peter Cornelius, 1816-17
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