MAGNANIMOUS “Alas, we are being punished because of our brother. We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us, yet we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has now come upon us.” – Genesis 42:21 When my brother and I were little kids, my mother always reminded me to give him the bigger chicken leg. She said it was my duty as the eldest to take good care of him. But when my mom wasn’t looking, I’d hide the big chicken leg under my pile of rice. The concept of being magnanimous was a bit tricky for my immature mind to handle. It’s difficult not to keep a scorecard in your head. When we think friends and family treat us unfairly, we give them demerits. Joseph had every reason to hate his brothers. After all, they plotted against him. How easy for him to wield his power now and exact revenge. Instead, he forgave his brothers. That is love in action. That is compassion — a generosity of spirit that allows us to empathize with another and forgive those who have wronged us. Only God knows what is in our hearts. His love knows no measure, for it is vast and endless. Gina Verdolaga (mgjver@yahoo) Reflection: Do you judge who must be rewarded or punished for their actions? Lord, open my heart and let love flow out to my brothers and sisters in Christ. St. Veronica Giuliani, pray for us. Didache | Companion | Sabbath | Top COMPANION 1ST READING The story of Joseph, his father and brothers is one of the best-known stories in the Scriptures. It is without doubt one of the most colorful, exciting and full of surprises. It is good to reflect on it and see the effects of many different sorts of human emotions and sins — and also the way in which God works within their midst. Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24 55 When hunger came to be felt throughout the land of Egypt and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, Pharaoh directed all the Egyptians to go to Joseph and do whatever he told them. 56 When the famine had spread throughout the land, Joseph opened all the cities that had grain and rationed it to the Egyptians, since the famine had gripped the land of Egypt. 57 In fact, all the world came to Joseph to obtain rations of grain, for famine had gripped the whole world. 42: 5 The sons of Israel were among those who came to procure rations. 6 It was Joseph, as governor of the country, who dispensed the rations to all the people. When Joseph’s brothers came and knelt down before him with their faces to the ground, 7 he recognized them as soon as he saw them. But Joseph concealed his own identity from them and spoke sternly to them. 17 With that, he locked them up in the guardhouse for three days. 18 On the third day Joseph said to his brothers: “Do this, and you shall live; for I am a God-fearing man. 19 If you have been honest, only one of your brothers need be confined in this prison, while the rest of you may go and take home provisions for your starving families. 20 But you must come back to me with your youngest brother. Your words will thus be verified, and you will not die.” To this they agreed. 21 To one another, however, they said: “Alas, we are being punished because of our brother. We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us, yet we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has now come upon us.” 22 Reuben broke in, “Did not I tell you not to do wrong to the boy? But you would not listen! Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” 23 The brothers did not know, of course, that Joseph understood what they said, since he spoke with them through an interpreter. 24 But turning away from them, he wept. P S A L M Psalm 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19 R: Lord, let Your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in You. 2 Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. 3 Sing to him a new song; pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness. (R) 10 The Lord brings to naught the plans of nations; he foils the designs of peoples. 11 But the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations. (R) 18 But see, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R) GOSPEL The Apostles are the future of the ministry of Jesus. Any good leader will always prepare for the future and this means grooming those who will continue his or her ideas. As we work and pray within our communities, let us look to the future and prepare for it responsibly. As leaders we need to know when to let go and allow the next generation to take their turn. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel. Matthew 10:1-7 1 Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 2 The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; 4 Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. 5 Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” think: As we work and pray within our communities, let us look to the future and prepare for it responsibly. T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST Thank You Lord for: __________________ ____________________________________ God’s special verse/thought for me today_ _____________________________________ READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Chronicles 22-24 Didache | Companion | Sabbath | Top SABBATH SENT BY THE LORD The Gospel reminds me of that tag team game the youth often play. One runs with a baton while the next in line prepares to receive the baton and run to the next team member. The next in line receives the baton and continues to race until all members of the team have finished, constantly passing the baton to the next person. What Jesus is doing in calling the Twelve to Himself is, in a sense, a form of a “tag team.” The baton is the Gospel, placed in their hands and lives to run the race of faith. What privilege it is to serve the Lord. When you look at the Apostles, they are quite a motley crew. They are farmers and fishermen, tax collectors and religious zealots. However, as it has been said, “He doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.” What Jesus cannot do now on earth, He relies on us to be His hands, feet and voice. It reminds me of the post-war story of the broken statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that had no arms. Soldiers put the statue together with the inscription that read, “I have no hands but yours.” The same sense of mission is given to these Apostles, similar to the sending of the 72 on mission. They are to be the hands of Jesus, proclaiming the Kingdom of God and attending to the lost sheep of Israel. They have power from on high — the same power of Jesus to cast out the devil and cure the sick. With these men in full force, the Kingdom of God is advancing powerfully. The Twelve follow the tradition of the 12 tribes of Israel. The 12 Apostles make up the new Israel, the Church of God. The word “apostles” means “to send” in Greek. They are sent at Jesus’ command and under His authority. Similarly, we are called be sent as witnesses of Jesus. At the end of every Mass, the priest dismisses us and sends us out to proclaim and glorify the Lord. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How can you be an apostle to those around you? Where is Jesus sending you? Lord, let Your mercy be upon us as we place our trust in You. Amen.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 15:18:30 +0000
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