Posted on 07/11/2017 11:05:34 PM PDT by Salvation
KEYWORDS: catholic; mt10; ordinarytime; prayer;
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From: Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a
Joseph, the Pharaoh’s Administrator (Continuation)
The Sons of Jacob Go Down to Egypt (Continuation)
Joseph Tests His Brothers by Keeping Simeon in Egypt (Continuation)
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Commentary:
41:5357. Egypt had an elaborate irrigation system, which allowed it to protect its
food supply in periods of famine caused, no doubt, by periodic droughts in the
Middle East. Thanks to Joseph’s management at that time, the country was able
not only to relieve famine at home when the need arose but also to relieve “all the
earth” scourged by that plague. Here we see how divine providence came to the
rescue of all nations through a descendant of Abraham (cf. 12:3). Yet, despite all
the progress mankind has made, the plague of hunger continues to ravage areas
of the world even In our own time. And so, “faced with a world today where so
many people are suffering from want, the [Second Vatican] Council asks indivi-
duals and governments to remember the saying of the Fathers: ‘Feed the man
dying of hunger, because if you do not feed him you are killing him,’ and it urges
them according to their ability to share and dispose of their goods to help others,
above all by giving them aid which will enable them to help and develop them-
selves” (Vatican II, “Gaudium Et Spes”, 69).
The pharaoh himself tells the Egyptians where to find food—by having recourse
to Joseph. He is the one providentially placed by God at that time not only to
save the Egyptians but also to help Jacob and his sons, the ancestors of the
chosen people of the Old Testament. There is a profound analogy between this
Joseph who provides nourishment to Egypt and Israel, and that other Joseph, the
husband of Mary, whom God chose to care for and nourish the Holy Family, who
also had to move to Egypt (cf. the note on 39:21-23). So the words spoken by the
pharaoh. “Go to Joseph.” can also be applied to recourse to St Joseph as an in-
tercessor to bring us to Jesus: “Who could be a better teacher for us? If you
want my advice, which I have never tired of repeating these many years, “Ite ad
Ioseph”: ‘Go to Joseph.’ He will show us definite ways, both human and divine,
to approach Jesus” (St. J. Escrivá, “Christ Is Passing By”, 38).
42:1-47:12. Here begins what we might call the second part of the history of Jo-
seph. This does not end with his own prosperity and happiness after his many
trials; it opens the way to the salvation of all his people, thereby giving effect to
God’s design. This part reaches its climax with the descent of Jacob and his
whole family into Egypt, and their settling there. The sons of Jacob travel into E-
gypt twice to buy grain (cf. chap. 42 and chaps 44-45). It may be that the writer
has drawn on two separate traditions, but still the narrative has an extraordinary
unity about it, evidencing the literary skill of the editor. It is a stirring account,
with events and emotions building up to a climax at the end, when all Jacob’s
Sons are gathered around him in Egypt.
As the story develops, we see come true the dreams Joseph had in Canaan
about his brothers and his father; initially some and eventually all of them bow
down before him. Meanwhile, due to the strategies Joseph uses, his brothers
(though not realizing what is happening) come to acknowledge and gradually
confess the sin they committed against him, to the point where they sincerely
repent it. We also see a sense of brotherhood and solidarity develop among
them all, to the point where they are all ready to become slaves rather than a-
bandon Benjamin (cf. 44:16); and one of them, Judah, is ready to give himself
up on Benjamin’s behalf. It is only then, at this point of brotherly union, that they
are able to find again their lost brother, Joseph, and reconstitute the family of
Jacob.
42:1-7. Jacob acts as a responsible family man concerned about his children’s
welfare. He is not resigned to see his family die of hunger; he thinks hard about
the situation and decides to take a risky but necessary course of action—to send
his sons to Egypt in search of food. Jacob’s sons probably joined some caravan
travelling there for the same reason. The account starts with this action on Ja-
cob’s part to explain why the Israelites went down into Egypt, leaving the land
God had promised to Abraham. It rounds off this explanation when it tells how
Jacob himself and all his family travelled to Egypt at God’s bidding (cf. 46:1-5).
The dreams Joseph told his brothers about (cf. 37:5-9) now begin to come true.
Joseph’s harshness towards them does not stem from a spirit of vengeance, it
is designed to give more dramatic interest to the story and to prepare for the
eventual reunion, once all his brothers have admitted their fault.
42:8-24. Joseph’s accusation against his brothers looks like a ruse to get them
to identify what family they belong to. It is plain to see that for them Joseph
“does not exist”. It is possible that Joseph fears for what will happen to his mo-
ther’s son, his brother Benjamin, and that that is why he insists that they bring
him to him. Maybe Joseph is conscious of his father’s pain and for that reason
keeps Simeon rather than Reuben; or, now that he knows what Reuben did
when the others wanted to kill him (cf. 37:21), maybe his decision not to detain
Reuben is a form of recognition for that action. In any event, the whole story is
told in a masterly way, and the reader’s interest is unabated. When they see
one of their brothers being taken from them by force, they begin to reflect on
what they themselves did long before—consciously disposing of a brother (they
thought that he was dead). They admit their fault and that it merits this sort of
punishment from God. Their process of conversion has started: their conscience
is beginning to accuse them. “Just as a drunkard who once he has drunk a lot
of wine is not conscious of doing damage, but later on realizes how much evil
he has done, so, too, sin, when it is being committed, darkens the mind and is
like a dense cloud that corrupts it; but, later, one’s conscience beings to wake
up and it accuses one’s mind vigorously, showing it how stupidly one has acted”
(St John Chrysostom, “Homiliae in Genesim”, 54, 2).
*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
From: Matthew 10:1-7
The Calling and First Mission of the Apostles
[5] These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gen-
tiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, [6] but go rather to the lost sheep of
the house of Israel. [7] And preach as you go, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven
is at hand.’”
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
1-4. Jesus calls His twelve Apostles after recommending to them to pray to the
Lord to send laborers into His harvest (cf. Matthew 9:38). Christians’ apostolic
action should always, then, be preceded and accompanied by a life of constant
prayer: apostolate is a divine affair, not a merely human one. Our Lord starts His
Church by calling twelve men to be, as it were, twelve patriarchs of the new peo-
ple of God, the Church. This new people is established not by physical but by
spiritual generation. The names of those Apostles are specifically mentioned
here. They were not scholarly, powerful or important people: they were average,
ordinary people who responded faithfully to the grace of their calling—all of them,
that is, except Judas Iscariot. Even before His death and resurrection Jesus con-
fers on them the power to cast out unclean spirits and cure illnesses—as an
earnest of and as training for the saving mission which He will entrust to them.
The Church reveres these first Christians in a very special way and is proud to
carry on their supernatural mission, and to be faithful to the witness they bore to
the teaching of Christ. The true Church is absent unless there is uninterrupted
apostolic succession and identification with the spirit which the Apostles made
their own.
“Apostle”: this word means “sent”; Jesus sent them out to preach His Kingdom
and pass on His teaching.
The Second Vatican Council, in line with Vatican I, “confesses” and “declares”
that the Church has a hierarchical structure: “The Lord Jesus, having prayed at
length to the Father, called to Himself those whom He willed and appointed
twelve to be with Him, whom He might send to preach the Kingdom of God (cf.
Mark 3:13-19: Matthew 10:1-10). These Apostles (cf. Luke 6:13) He constituted
in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which He placed
Peter, chosen from among them (cf. John 21:15-17). He sent them first of all to
the children of Israel and then to all peoples (cf. Romans 1:16), so that, sharing
in His power, they might make all peoples His disciples and sanctify and govern
them (cf. Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:45-48; John 20:21-23) and thus
spread the Church and, administering it under the guidance of the Lord, shepherd
it all days until the end of the world (cf. Matthew 28:28)” (”Lumen Gentium”, 19).
1. In this chapter St. Matthew describes how Jesus, with a view to the spreading
of the Kingdom of God which He inaugurates, decides to establish a Church,
which He does by giving special powers and training to these twelve men who
are its seed.
5-15. After revealing His intention to found the Church by choosing the Twelve
(verses 1-4), in the present passage He shows that He intends to start training
these first Apostles. In other words, from early on in His public ministry He be-
gan to lay the foundations of His Church.
Everyone needs doctrinal and apostolic training to follow his Christian calling.
The Church has a duty to teach, and the faithful have a parallel duty to make
that teaching their own. Therefore, every Christian should avail of the facilities
for training which the Church offers him—which will vary according to each per-
son’s circumstances.
5-6. In His plan of salvation God gave certain promises (to Abraham and the pa-
triarchs), a Covenant and a Law (the Law of Moses), and sent the prophets. The
Messiah would be born into this chosen people, which explains why the Messiah
and the Kingdom of God were to be preached to the house of Israel before being
preached to the Gentiles. Therefore, in their early apprenticeship, Jesus restricts
the Apostles’ area of activity to the Jews, without this taking from the world-wide
scope of the Church’s mission. As we will see, much later on He charges them
to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19); “Go into all the world
and preach the Gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:16). The Apostles also,
in the early days of the spread of the Church, usually sought out the Jewish com-
munity in any new city they entered, and preached first to them (cf. Acts 13:46).
*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
Liturgical Colour: Green.
First reading |
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Genesis 41:55-57,42:5-7,17-24 © |
Responsorial Psalm |
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Psalm 32(33):2-3,10-11,18-19 © |
Gospel Acclamation | James1:18 |
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Or | Mk1:15 |
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Gospel | Matthew 10:1-7 © |
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Pray for Pope Francis.
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Why Boko Haram and ISIS Target Women
Report reveals scale of Boko Haram violence inflicted on Nigerian Catholics
Military evacuating girls, women rescued from Boko Haram
Echos of Lepanto Nigerian bishop says rosary will bring down Boko Harm
After vision of Christ, Nigerian bishop says rosary will bring down Boko Haram (Catholic Caucus)
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We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.
Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.
Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.
Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.
Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.
O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.
Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests
This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.
The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.
The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.
Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.
St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.
1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)
5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
6. Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.
Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.
End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Final step -- The Sign of the Cross
The Mysteries of the Rosary By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary. The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.
The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]
St. Michael the Archangel
~ PRAYER ~
St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
+
A Prayer for PriestsO my God, help those priests who are faithful to remain faithful; to those who are falling, stretch forth Your Divine Hand that they may grasp it as their support. In the great ocean of Your mercy, lift those poor unfortunate ones who have fallen, that being engulfed therein they may receive the grace to return to Your Great Loving Heart. Amen. Precious Blood of Jesus, protect them!
The Most Precious Blood of Jesus
July is traditionally associated with the Precious Blood of Our Lord. It may be customary to celebrate the votive Mass of the Precious Blood on July 1.
The extraordinary importance of the saving Blood of Christ has ensured a central place for its memorial in the celebration of this cultic mystery: at the centre of the Eucharistic assembly, in which the Church raises up to God in thanksgiving "the cup of blessing" (1 Cor 10, 16; cf Ps 115-116, 13) and offers it to the faithful as a "real communion with the Blood of Christ" (1 Cor 10, 16); and throughout the Liturgical Year. The Church celebrates the saving Blood of Christ not only on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, but also on many other occasions, such that the cultic remembrance of the Blood of our redemption (cf 1 Pt 1, 18) pervades the entire Liturgical Year. Hence, at Vespers during Christmastide, the Church, addressing Christ, sings: "Nos quoque, qui sancto tuo redempti sumus sanguine, ob diem natalis tui hymnum novum concinimus." In the Paschal Triduum, the redemptive significance and efficacy of the Blood of Christ is continuously recalled in adoration. During the adoration of the Cross on Good Friday the Church sings the hymn: "Mite corpus perforatur, sanguis unde profluit; terra, pontus, astra, mundus quo lavanturflumine", and again on Easter Sunday, "Cuius corpus sanctissimum in ara crucis torridum, sed et cruorem roesum gustando, Deo vivimus (194).
Catholic Word of the Day: LITANY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD, 09-25-12
ST. GASPAR: Founder of the Society of the Precious Blood
Mass in the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (London, 9/18)
Devotion to the Drops of Blood Lost by our Lord Jesus Christ on His Way to Calvary (Prayer/Devotion)
Chaplet of the Most Precious Blood
Catholic Word of the Day: PRECIOUS BLOOD, 12-03-11
The Traditional Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Catholic Caucus)
Devotion to the Precious Blood
DOCTRINE OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,And More on the Precious Blood
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
NOTHING IS MORE POTENT AGAINST EVIL THAN PLEADING THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
"As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' "
To all those who hold temporal power, what does the Church ask of you today?... She asks of you only liberty, the liberty to believe and to preach her faith, the freedom to love her God and serve Him, the freedom to live and to bring to men her message of life. Do not fear her. She is made after the image of her Master, whose mysterious action does not interfere with your prerogatives but heals everythirig human of its fatal weakness, transfigures it, and fills it with hope, truth, and beauty.
Allow Christ to exercise His purifying action on society! Do not crucify Him anew. This would be a sacrilege for He is the Son of God. This would be suicide for He is the Son of man. And we, His humble ministers, allow us to spread everywhere without hindrance the gospel of peace on which we have meditated during this Council. Of it, your peoples will be the first beneficiaries, since the Church forms for you loyal citizens, friends of social peace and progress.
On this solemn day when she closes the deliberations of her twenty-first Ecumenical Council, the Church offers you through our voice her friendship, het services, her spiritual and moral forces. She addresses to you all her message of salvation and blessing. Accept it, as she offers it to you, with a joyous and sincere heart and pass it on to your peoples!
St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
|
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Amen. "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28) "Blessed are you among women, |
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