Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Many people are controlled at least in part by fear, but our scriptures show us God resolving the fears of Leah and the secret fears of Joseph's brothers because Joseph feared God. Jesus likewise teaches us to fear God and not to allow ourselves to be controlled by fear of human beings or fear of persecution.
Title
Outline
Fear is the backstory of many people
Our readings tell us not to fear, for God knows and brings about justice
Jacob had married two wives and two concubines
Joseph’s brothers had treated Joseph poorly and feared Joseph would get back at them after his father’s death
The disciples hear Jesus’ warnings of persecution and started to fear
Sisters, many of us have some secret, something that we fear
Readings
FIRST READING
Genesis 49:29–32, 50:15–26a
29 Then he gave them this charge: “Since I am about to be gathered to my people, bury me with my ancestors in the cave that lies in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 the cave in the field of Machpelah, facing on Mamre, in the land of Canaan, the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite for a burial ground. 31 There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, and so are Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and there, too, I buried Leah— 32 the field and the cave in it that had been purchased from the Hittites.”
15 Now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful and thought, “Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us and now most certainly will pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!” 16 So they sent to Joseph and said: “Before your father died, he gave us these instructions: 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: Please forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers, who treated you harmfully.’ So now please forgive the crime that we, the servants of the God of your father, committed.” When they said this to him, Joseph broke into tears. 18 Then his brothers also proceeded to fling themselves down before him and said, “We are your slaves!” 19 But Joseph replied to them: “Do not fear. Can I take the place of God? 20 Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve this present end, the survival of many people. 21 So now, do not fear. I will provide for you and for your children.” By thus speaking kindly to them, he reassured them.
22 Joseph remained in Egypt, together with his father’s household. He lived a hundred and ten years. 23 He saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation, and the children of Manasseh’s son Machir were also born on Joseph’s knees.
24 Joseph said to his brothers: “I am about to die. God will surely take care of you and lead you up from this land to the land that he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 Then, putting the sons of Israel under oath, he continued, “When God thus takes care of you, you must bring my bones up from this place.” 26 Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. He was embalmed and laid to rest in a coffin in Egypt.
RESPONSE
Psalm 69:33
33 “See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, take heart!
PSALM
Psalm 105:1–4, 6–7
1 Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the peoples his deeds!
2 Sing praise to him, play music;
proclaim all his wondrous deeds!
3 Glory in his holy name;
let hearts that seek the LORD rejoice!
4 Seek out the LORD and his might;
constantly seek his face.
6 You descendants of Abraham his servant,
offspring of Jacob the chosen one!
7 He the LORD, is our God
whose judgments reach through all the earth.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
1 Peter 4:14
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
GOSPEL
Matthew 10:24–33
24 No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!
26 “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 27 What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. 30 Even all the hairs of your head are counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.
Notes
SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2021 | ORDINARY TIME
SATURDAY OF THE FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
YEAR 1 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY
First Reading Genesis 49:29–32, 50:15–26a
Response Psalm 69:33
Psalm Psalm 105:1–4, 6–7
Gospel Acclamation 1 Peter 4:14
Gospel Matthew 10:24–33