Recognize their own meanness, so that their awareness of God's blessings will be more apparent.

Rather than thinking that they rely on their own resources, they will give thanks for God's generosity.

　

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Genesis 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5*

Judah then went forward and said,

"My lord, allow your servant to speak. (...)

You then told us that if our youngest brother did not come with us, we would not be admitted to your presence.

All this we said to our father on returning there. So when he told us to come back and buy a little food,

we said: 'We cannot go down again unless our youngest brother is with us.

We shall not be admitted to the lord's presence unless our brother is with us!

 

Then my father said: 'You know that my wife had two children.

One went away from me and has surely been torn to pieces since I have not seen him anymore.

If you take this one from me and something happens to him you will bring my gray hair in sorrow to the grave.

(...) Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?"

 

And his brothers could not answer because they were terrified at seeing him.

Joseph said, "Come closer," and they drew nearer. "I am Joseph your brother, yes, it's me,

the one you sold to the Egyptians. Now don't grieve and reproach yourselves for selling me,

because God has sent me before you to save your lives.

 

Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 10:7-15

Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life,

cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. Freely have you received, freely give.

Do not carry any gold or silver or money in your purses. Do not take a traveling bag, or an extra shirt,

or sandals, or a walking stick: workers deserve to be compensated.

 

When you come to a town or a village, look for a worthy person, and stay there until you leave.

When you enter the house, wish it peace. If the people are worthy people, your peace will rest on them;

if they are not worthy people, your blessing will come back to you.

And if you are not welcomed, and your words are not listened to, leave that house or that town,

and shake the dust off your feet. I assure you, it will go easier for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah

on the day of judgment, then it will for the people of that town.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Freely have you received, freely give."

"Freely have you received, freely give." Our generosity must reflect the generous love we have received from God.

If we are not aware of what we have received, we cannot give thanks for it;

nor can it be the cause of our own generosity by imitation. Joseph's brothers are destitute.

The famine has raged throughout Egypt and the neighbouring countries,

but God has provided for them by turning an occasion of murderous envy into an opportunity to save his people.

 

Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers but has ended up being the one who is able to feed the people

with the grain that his wise stewardship had stored up. In receiving God's saving generosity at the hands of Joseph,

the brothers can now recognize their own meanness, and their hearts are converted.

Jesus commands the disciples to carry little with them so that their awareness of God's blessings will be more apparent.

Rather than thinking that they rely on their own resources, they will give thanks for God's generosity,

and fully aware of God's blessings, they will want to imitate God's generous love in their own actions. Give thanks to God and give generously!