The path of the righteous is like a bright light that shines and grows brighter from dawn to full day (Prov 4:18).

 

The path of the righteous is like a bright light that shines and grows brighter from dawn to full day (Prov 4:18).

Amábile, later Sister Paulina, was born in Italy in 1865. She immigrated to Brazil and settled in Nova Trento, Santa Catarina. Founder of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, she dedicated much of her life to caring for orphaned children and former slaves. She died in 1942. Following her example, let us heed the Lord's call and place our gifts at the service of society's outcasts.

First Reading: Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24

Reading from the Book of Genesis – In those days, 55all Egypt began to experience famine, and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food. And he answered, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” 56 When the famine spread throughout the land, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, because the famine was severe in them. 57 From all nations people came to Egypt to buy food, because the famine was severe throughout the land. 42:5 The Israelites went into the land of Egypt with others who were also going to buy grain, because there was a famine in Canaan. 6 Joseph was governor in the land of Egypt, and grain was sold to the people according to his will. When Joseph’s brothers came and fell facedown before him, 7 Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them. 17 He ordered them to be put in prison for three days. 18 On the third day he said to them, “Do what I have told you, and you will live, for I fear God. 19 If you are sincere, let one of your brothers remain here in the prison, and you go and carry the grain you have bought to your homes. 20 But bring your youngest brother to me, so that I may test the truth of your words and you will not die.” They did as Joseph had told them. 21 They said to one another, “We have suffered this because we sinned against our brother. We saw his distress when he cried out to us for mercy, and we did not listen. That is why this trouble has come upon us.” 22 Reuben said to them, “Did I not warn you, ‘Do not sin against the boy,’ and you did not listen. And now they are demanding an account of his blood from us.” 23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. 24 Then Joseph withdrew from them and wept. – The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: 32(33)

May your mercy be upon us, O Lord, as we have hoped in you!

1. Give thanks to the Lord with the harp, / with the ten-stringed lyre, / sing to him a new song, / with skill, / sustain his praise! – R.

2. The Lord brings to nought the plans of the nations, / and the plans of the peoples. / But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, / and the thoughts of his heart endure through all generations. – R.

3. But the Lord looks upon those who fear him, / and trust in his unfailing love, / to rescue them from death, / and to feed them in times of famine. – R.

Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Repent and believe in the Gospel, / for the Kingdom of God is near! (Mk 1:15) – R.

A Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew – At that time, 1Jesus called the twelve disciples and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to cure every disease and every illness. 2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus and Thaddeus; 4Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. 5Jesus sent these Twelve with the following instructions: “Do not go to the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go instead to the lost sheep of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim, ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’” – Word of salvation.

Reflection:

The group of Twelve forms the first Christian community, tasked with continuing Christ’s mission in the world. To this end, the apostles receive from Jesus himself the power to heal all diseases and cast out demons—that is, to free people from all the evils that imprison human beings. Each of us today is called to carry out the same task, proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is near, that we need to convert and live with dignity. We too are now sent, with the power to heal and liberate.