The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to share our identity and life experience as the Way to activate our role as disciples of Christ.
In the reading from the Book of Genesis, Joseph reveals his identity and the family is reconciled.
* [45:1–28] Joseph reveals his identity and the family is reconciled. (Genesis, CHAPTER 45 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 105 is a hymn to God.
* [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11). In every phase of the national story—the ancestors in the land of Canaan (Ps 105:12–15), Joseph in Egypt (Ps 105:16–22), Israel in Egypt (Ps 105:23–38), Israel in the desert on the way to Canaan (Ps 105:39–45)—God remained faithful, reiterating the promise of the land to successive servants. (Psalms, PSALM 105 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew presents the Commissioning of the Twelve.
* [10:8–11] The Twelve have received their own call and mission through God’s gift, and the benefits they confer are likewise to be given freely. They are not to take with them money, provisions, or unnecessary clothing; their lodging and food will be provided by those who receive them.
* [10:13] The greeting of peace is conceived of not merely as a salutation but as an effective word. If it finds no worthy recipient, it will return to the speaker.
* [10:14] Shake the dust from your feet: this gesture indicates a complete disassociation from such unbelievers. (Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)
David Crawford comments that we read the instructions Jesus gave for their first outing. In short, the apostles were told to bring good news, healing and peace – and not much else.
It occurs to me that I/we need to adjust our approach to being Christ’s messengers. It can be tempting to try to determine who merits healing and peace, but that is not what Jesus told the apostles. It may be that someone refuses what is offered. Make the offer anyway. It can be tempting to think we can know who needs healing and peace, but it is not always possible to recognize the pain and turmoil a person carries within them. In fact, a person may not realize it himself. For instance, Joseph looked like a person who was thriving, but encountering his brothers brought him to tears; and the reconnection with his family was a cause for celebration. And by extending forgiveness to his brothers, Joseph experienced healing himself. (Crawford, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The gift of power to reign with the Lord,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD)
"All the power possessed by the Lord is bestowed upon the apostles! Those who were prefigured in the image and likeness of God in Adam have now received the perfect image and likeness of Christ. They have been given powers in no way different from those of the Lord. Those once earthbound now become heaven-centered. They will proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, that the image and likeness of God are now appropriated in the company of truth, so that all the holy ones who have been made heirs of heaven may reign with the Lord. Let them cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out devils. Whatever impairment Adam's body had incurred from being goaded on by Satan, let the apostles wipe away through their sharing in the Lord's power. And that they may fully obtain the likeness of God according to the prophecy in Genesis, they are ordered to give freely what they freely have received (Matthew 10:8). Thus a gift freely bestowed should be freely dispensed." (excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 10.4) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 10:7-15 comments that our “proclamation” might be with words, but it might also be through the witness of our life.
As you begin your day today, ask the Lord to direct your steps. Maybe he will lead you to share with a neighbor about how Jesus changed your life. Or maybe, like Jim’s impact on Bob, he will use the witness of your presence to plant a seed of faith in them. Either way, the kingdom of heaven really is at hand—in you (Luke 17:21)!
“Jesus, you live in me. Let my life be a clear proclamation of your kingdom everywhere I go.” (Meditation on Matthew 10:7-15, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the progression of the weeping of Joseph as he reveals his identity and credits Providence for using his experience as the plan to save lives. We seek to respond when things are out of kilter to make good come from it. In Matthew’s Gospel the disciples are instructed to trust in Providence. Friar Jude notes that if they receive the message they will be blessed. Our punishment for deciding to reject the message is our inability to accept Divine mercy.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz who describes Jonah’s actions as a protest, driven by both faith and politics. Yanklowitz honors the weight that prophets carry:
Many of us may feel that we do not do enough. We may feel exhausted and tired of carrying the heavy weight of that universal responsibility. That’s not just us. We see that even a prophet can feel similarly, and in response, he tries to run away from his responsibility. [3] Jonah is us. We are Jonah.
It is not easy to be a prophet. The prophet is neither cool nor popular; the prophet is not the life of the party. The prophet is an anxious personality juggling the demands of God with the needs of humans. Constantly risking alienation or even death, the prophet is isolated and lonely. But we are not allowed to turn away. [4] (Rohr, n.d.)
We seek the peace of the Spirit to view our journey in life as the Way through which we are invited to be witnesses to the power, love and mercy of God.
References
Crawford, D. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-10-2025
Genesis, CHAPTER 45 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/45
Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10?7
Meditation on Matthew 10:7-15. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/07/10/1328942/
Psalms, PSALM 105 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/105?16
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/jonah-religion-politics-prophecy/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Freely Have You Received - Freely Give. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jul10
No comments:
Post a Comment