9th JULY. THURSDAY IN WEEK 14

1.Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29;45:1-5

2.Matthew 10:7-15

REFLECTIONS AND MEDITATIONS

Genuine Compassion

From the gospel reading we understand that the ministry of the twelve is not confined, for the news that the reign of God is at hand is to be exemplified by curing the sick, raising the dead, healing lepers, and expelling demons. Jesus on top of their ministry adds that what they have freely received, they must freely give to others, in a complete sharing of gifts and talents. The complete and true meaning of the reign of God therefore is seen in the generous relationship of daily life.

The providence of God is well illustrated from the book of Genesis whereby the providence of God is found in situations we experience as good as well as bad ones. The key to the long Joseph narrative in Genesis (Chaps 37-50) is the simple statement, “God sent me here ahead of you.” The full implications of his earlier life are recognized by Joseph when his very brothers sold him in Egypt approach him after their father’s death. Fearfully they imagine he has been nursing a grudge and may now pay them back for all the wrong they did to him. But Joseph told them “Have no fear” we learn that out of evil may come good under God’s plans, God meant it for a good purpose, to achieve the survival of many.

As in the Joseph story, so in our own lives, in situations of doubt common decency may save us. We learn that God’s ways are not our ways. The way God provides for us is reserved to Him, we cannot know the way God provides to us. Yet the invitation is that, we have to keep vigilant in faith and hope that God, who knows each one of us, is the one who knows how to provide to each one of us according to our daily needs.

Jesus is the fullest revelation possible in a human life of God’s tender love for mankind. He too experienced the turning away of people from this love, their refusal to respond to it in any meaningful way. When he sends away his disciples as we have heard from today’s gospel he warns them to expect the same. They have to proclaim the good news that the kingdom of God is at hand, the reign of God’s life giving love, but they will encounter those who will not welcome them and will not listen to what they have to say. However, these challenges should not prevent them from their mission of preaching the mission of Christ. When Jesus suffered the ultimate rejection on the cross, he proclaimed the same good news as risen Lord to those who had turned away from him and rejected him. We are all invited to reveal the loving presence of God, regardless of how we are received and treated by others.