Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection July 12, 2025
Saturday – 14th Week in Ordinary Time
12th July 2025 (Saturday)
Psalter: Week 2
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Genesis 49:29-33; 50:15-26a
In those days: Jacob commanded his sons and said to them, “am to be gathered to my people; bury me with. my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah- the field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites.” When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may bethat Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father’s house. Joseph lived for one hundred ten years. And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph’s own. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones- from here.” So Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old.
Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7 (R. see Psalm 69:33)
R/. You who are poor seek God, and your hearts will revive.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 10:24-33
At that time: Jesus said to his apostles, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many. sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also. will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Saturday – 14th Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: The difference between a true follower of Christ and a false one is in their depth of trust and loyalty. The former is deep-rooted, totally surrendered and loyal. But the latter is shallow, wavering and unfaithful
1. Fear is a haunting experience for all. The reasons can be many and varied. In the first reading from Genesis 49. 29-33 and 50. 15-25, the brothers of Joseph are afraid of punishment from him. They were conscious of the immense evil they did to him by selling him into slavery.
2. Quite rightly, Joseph could take revenge on them. But with a magnanimous heart, he forgives them and provides to take care of their families. He removes their fear, instils confidence and re-establishes a loving bond. How gracious he was, saying, “Fear not … so do not fear”. He also looks at everything in the framework of God’s holy designs. He accepts everything as all for good, from the optic of faith. Hear him as he says, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, for many people to be kept alive during famine”.
3. In the gospel too from Matthew 10. 24-33, Jesus tells his disciples, “Have no fear… do not fear … fear not”. The context is the suffering and persecution for the sake of his mission. There will be many who will oppose and harm them even to the extent of killing. Their fate is no different from their master’s. He too went through the same crucible of criticism and persecution.
4. In such a context, they should weigh between God and the evil people. Humans can only harm and kill the body, and not the soul. But God has control over both. They can cause only physical suffering, but cannot touch us spiritually.
5. Further, our God is a loving and providential God who values us so preciously and cares for us so meticulously. He thinks of even little birds like sparrows. He knows the number of even little things like our hair.
6. Hear how Jesus assures and encourages us: “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows”. Therefore, what is expected from us is to trust him deeply, to be courageous in testing and trying times and to be loyal to him always.
My Practice: Jesus says, “A disciple is not above his teacher, and a servant is not above his master; It is enough that a disciple becomes like his teacher and a servant like his master. Therefore, as disciples and servants, let our whole striving always be to become like our master
