14th Week, Friday, Jul 14
Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30 / Matthew 10:16-23
Joseph meets his father: He wept for a long time in his arms.
Today's reading contains one of the most touching scenes in the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament. Describing how Joseph greeted his father, it reads: "He flung himself on his neck and wept a long time in his arms." This touching scene stands in stark contrast to the way many modern fathers and sons (greet each other. or example, not long ago a father wrote o Ann Landers about his dead son: "The greatest regret of my life is that I kept my son at arm's length. I believed it was unmanly for males to show affection for one another. I treated my son the way my father treated me, and I realize now what a terrible mistake it was."***
How do we show our affection toward our parents? Toward our children? The father of the prodigal son "ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him." Lk 15:20
***
We have heard of this term "bucket list". A bucket list is a sort of wish list of what we would like to do before we pass on from this world. Of course the wish list can be really long and some of the items in it may not be achievable even. So some people may say that they want to do certain things before their life comes to an end but how determined are they about it, that's another question. But some people are dead serious about the things they want to do before their life is over and done. Like Jacob and Joseph in the 1st reading. It had been over twenty years since they last saw each other. And when they came to know that each was still alive, they would certainly have that wish that they would be able to see each other, even if that would be the last thing they would ever do in life. As we feel the emotions of Jacob and Joseph in that meeting, where their wish in life was fulfilled, that would also lead us to reflect about the last thing or things we would want to do in life. More than just want to travel and see the world and eat every food that is reputed to be good, there must be something more when it comes to the last things of life. Certainly, we want to be forgiven of all our sins and be reconciled with God and others and be at peace at our final moments. We want to stand before God, humble but firm, and with the hope that He will call us His good and faithful servants and let us into His kingdom. As Jesus said in the gospel: The man who stands firm to the end will be saved.
***
Joseph invited his brothers and his father to come into Egypt. He knows the famine would last another five years. The Pharaoh not only added his invitation, he promised them the best land Egypt could offer and he sent waggons to bring them and as an inducement, rich gifts.
Jacob was not sure whether he was allowed to leave the land God had promised Abraham. He went to Beersheba to the sanctuary, to find the will of God. God told him: I myself will go down to Egypt with you, for I will make you a great nation there. God's providence guided their destiny. In Palestine, they lived in isolation and constant strife. Now they were to come into Egypt where they welcome. The contact with a great culture educated all of them. That is how they were going to be a great nation. Those four centuries made all the difference. It is true that after some years they had to go and find work. This made them dependent and finally slaves; foreign workers. One of theirs, a man with an Egyptian name, who has had his education at the royal court, would lead them out: His name is Moses.
***
Why is it that God's message is not accepted? Why? Why? They bring the good news of salvation. God loved the world so much that he sent his only son. The message tells of a Father, who is almighty and all wise, a Father that cares for us in his providence. They bring his grace. How can this provoke resistance, even hatred? The answer is in the message. They announce the kingdom is at hand. God wants to rule. No one except the wise want to be ruled. Christianity is not just a philosophy of life that one can discuss and then discard. Man has to change his life. God is the Lord. He has his demands on men, his commandments. Faith is another demand. God wants the whole man, the whole time. Religion is not resented when it demands only self-fulfillment. Christianity demands -accepting the will of God. There is also the evil one, who tries to get us away from God. It is like being a lamb in a pack of wolves.
***
What Jesus says of his apostles-missionaries applies also to all who follow him: they have to live with insecurity. They will be contradicted, ridiculed, and perhaps persecuted. The gospel, meant to bring peace, in reality often divides. It sets off, sets apart. It brings division even among those who claim Christ as their Lord. Jesus promised to his disciples then and now his Holy Spirit to stand by their side in their trials.
***
Prayer
Lord our God, our faith is often put to the test in the confusion of our time. Let your Holy Spirit speak in us when we meet contradiction on account of the gospel of your Son. May he be our strength and peace in living with the uncertainties that are the lot of those who believe in you. Stay with us when the going is rough and bring us home to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
***
Feast day July 14
Kateri Tekakwitha is called the Lily of the Mohawks. Her name Tekakwitha means “putting things in order.” She put her life in order in a short time.
Kateri was a Mohawk Indian born in what is now Auriesville, New York, ten years after Isaac Jogues and his companions were martyred there. Her mother was a Christian Algonquin Indian, and her father was a pagan Mohawk chief. Her parents and a brother died of smallpox when she was only four. Kateri recovered from the disease, but it left her eyes weak and her face scarred.
When Kateri’s uncle and aunts wanted her to marry, she refused. She felt that the Great Spirit was the only one she could love. This angered her uncle.
Kateri learned more about God from a missionary and asked to be baptized. She was baptized on Easter Sunday. It was hard for Kateri to live as a Christian. Her people expected her to work in the fields on Sunday, the Lord’s Day. Sometimes they didn’t feed her. Children made fun of her and threw stones at her. Kateri endured this for two years.
Finally a priest advised Kateri to go to Canada where she would be with other Christians. One day when her uncle was not home, she left for Canada with a Christian named Hot Ashes. When Kateri’s uncle found out she was missing, he followed her but did not catch her.
Kateri brought with her a note from the missionary priest to a Canadian priest that said, “I send you a treasure, Katherine Tekakwitha. Guard her well.” Kateri lived an outstanding Christian life. She went to Mass daily, made frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and prayed the rosary often. She cared for the sick and the old and taught the children. She did much penance.
Kateri suffered from bad headaches. She was not strong and could eat very little. When she died at the age of twenty-four, the scars on her face disappeared and she was beautiful. Kateri’s last words were, “Jesus, I love you.”
