In today’s first reading, we see part of the story of Joseph from Genesis 41 and 42. I encourage you to read the whole story of Joseph, beginning in Genesis 37. This will give you the background for the first reading. It’s an amazing story.
Our Gospel reading today from Matthew 10 is the naming and sending out of the Twelve. Jesus sends them out “with authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.” This is a very important verse, for here we see Jesus giving authority to the Twelve. He instructs them, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He wanted them to work first on their own kin.
I feel a similar calling today. So many Catholics are ambivalent or completely apathetic about their faith. So many have fallen away or just want to pick and choose what they want to believe. They want the Church to conform to their way of thinking, not to come to a greater understanding of what the Church teaches and why. These are the folks that I believe we need to minister to first. Let’s go after the lost sheep of our own family first.
Father, help us to bring your Word to all, especially those who have fallen away from the faith. May we love them and witness to them always. Amen.
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