Catholic Daily Mass Readings and Reflections for Wednesday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Season.

This is the Catholic Daily Mass Readings and Reflections for Wednesday of the 14^th Week in Ordinary Season. Today’s first reading is from Genesis 41:55-57,42:5-7a,17-24a and the Gospel Reading is from Matthew 10:1-7. 

Saint of the Day: St. Willibald

St. Willibald was born in the county of Wessex in England. He was the brother of Sts. Winebald and Walburga, and was related to the great St. Boniface through his mother. He went on a pilgrimage to Rome (c. 722) with his father, who died on the way in Lucca, Italy, after studying in a monastery in Waitham, Hampshire. Willibald made his way to Rome and then Jerusalem. He was captured by Saracens who mistook him for a spy, but he was eventually freed and went on to visit all of the holy places before moving on to Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey), where he visited numerous lauras, monasteries, and hermitages. When he returned to Italy, he went to Monte Cassino and worked as a sacrist, dean, and porter for ten years. He met Pope St. Gregory III (r. 731-741), who sent him to Germany to assist his cousin St. Boniface in his important missionary endeavors, while on a visit to Rome. In 741, Boniface ordained him and soon appointed him bishop of Eichstatt, Franconia, the location of Willibald's most successful missionary efforts. He established a double monastery at Heidenheim with his brother Winebald as abbot and his sister Walburga as abbess. Willibald was the bishop for nearly four decades. His journey can be found in the Hodoeporicon (the earliest known English travel book). Willibald's journeys in the Holy Land were chronicled by a relative and a nun from Heidenheim.

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

When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do.” So, when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.

Thus, the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. Now Joseph was governor over the land; he it was who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. Joseph saw his brothers, and knew them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. And he put them all together in prison for three days. On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined in your prison, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, and bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.” And they did so. Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we would not listen; therefore, is this distress come upon us.” And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the lad? But you would not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. Then he turned away from them and wept.

Responsorial Psalm

33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19

R.  (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;

with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.

Sing to him a new song;

pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.

R.  Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;

he foils the designs of peoples.

But the plan of the LORD stands forever;

the design of his heart, through all generations.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,

upon those who hope for his kindness,

To deliver them from death

and preserve them in spite of famine.

R.  Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Gospel Acclamation.

Mk 1:15

Alleluia, alleluia.

The Kingdom of God is at hand:

repent and believe in the Gospel.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7.

Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These Twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Gospel Reflection.

Greetings, brothers and sisters! The apostles were with Jesus as he traveled around Galilee, bearing witness to his Gospel proclamation and healing ministries. As we can see today, Jesus called twelve of them by name. They are sent out to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. In yesterday's Gospel we heard, Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." In today's Gospel, the Lord of the Harvest is dispatching his harvesters. He empowered them to heal, just as he did, and to proclaim, just as he had, that the kingdom of God was near.

When we consider the twelve men chosen by Jesus, we see that they lacked many of the attributes that our society considers necessary for success – education, wealth, and social standing. These were the ones who gathered in prayer after Jesus' ascension and on the day of Pentecost, they preached God's word, and many people listened and were baptized as a result. They stayed true to their calling and strengthened the disciples. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they were able to endure all of the difficulties and persecutions.

Now think about your own vocation. What are you supposed to do with your life? Every Christian is called to proclaim the kingdom of God through baptism. You, too, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, just as the Apostles were. Many people have never heard of Jesus or, even if they have, have never experienced his love in their lives. They, too, require salvation, and Jesus shed his blood for them. The gospel will spread and God's kingdom will be built if you are faithful to your calling as ministers of Christ's word.

You might be thinking, "How can I proclaim the Good News when I live in a family?" I have a family to look after, including my wife and children. In my office, business, school and other areas, I have responsibilities. We often believe that missionary work is only for priests, religious, and specially dedicated lay people, and that it is not for us. It's not like that; you're called to be a missionary when you're baptized. You are participating in missionary work when you say a small prayer for missionaries around the world. You are becoming a missionary when you teach your children to practice their Catholic faith. You become a missionary in your classrooms, offices, and other work areas when you begin to live according to Christian values. A quote attributed to St. Francis goes like this: “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words”.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for bringing the good news that the kingdom of God is near. Thank you for appointing me as one of your disciples. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to us. Now I pray for all missionaries around the world, that they may be strengthened by your Holy Spirit in their efforts to spread your Gospel. I pray for myself as well; please help me share your good news with my loved ones. Assist me in living a Gospel-centered life. I put my faith in you, Jesus.