14TH SATURDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 10:24-33) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!” (Mt 10:25)

FIRST READING - 49:29-32; 50:15-26a

A reading from the Book of Genesis

Jacob gave his sons this charge:

“Since I am about to be taken to my people,

bury me with my fathers in the cave that lies

in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

the cave in the field of Machpelah,

facing on Mamre, in the land of Canaan,

the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite

for a burial ground.

There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried,

and so are Isaac and his wife Rebekah,

and there, too, I buried Leah–

the field and the cave in it

that had been purchased from the Hittites.”

Now that their father was dead,

Joseph’s brothers became fearful and thought,

“Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us

and now plans to pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!”

So they approached Joseph and said:

“Before your father died, he gave us these instructions:

‘You shall say to Joseph, Jacob begs you

to forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers,

who treated you so cruelly.’

Please, therefore, forgive the crime that we,

the servants of your father’s God, committed.”

When they spoke these words to him, Joseph broke into tears.

Then his brothers proceeded to fling themselves down before him

and said, “Let us be your slaves!”

But Joseph replied to them:

“Have no fear. Can I take the place of God?

Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good,

to achieve his present end, the survival of many people.

Therefore have no fear.

I will provide for you and for your children.”

By thus speaking kindly to them, he reassured them.

Joseph remained in Egypt, together with his father’s family.

He lived a hundred and ten years.

He saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation,

and the children of Manasseh’s son Machir

were also born on Joseph’s knees.

Joseph said to his brothers: “I am about to die.

God will surely take care of you and lead you out of this land to the land

that he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

Then, putting the sons of Israel under oath, he continued,

“When God thus takes care of you,

you must bring my bones up with you from this place.”

Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 10:24-33

From the Gospels according to Matthew

Jesus said to his Apostles:

“No disciple is above his teacher,

no slave above his master.

It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher,

for the slave that he become like his master.

If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul,

how much more those of his household!

“Therefore do not be afraid of them.

Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,

nor secret that will not be known.

What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;

what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;

rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy

both soul and body in Gehenna.

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?

Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.

Even all the hairs of your head are counted.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Everyone who acknowledges me before others

I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.

But whoever denies me before others,

I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

14TH SATURDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Matthew 10:24-33)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Today's Word of God invites everyone to practice the following teachings:

• First, Jesus said: "No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he becomes like his teacher, and for the slave that he becomes like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!" God makes it known that Jesus Christ is the God of Love. He always loves and bestows spiritual graces upon people. He gives love, grants life, brings healing, and removes all sicknesses and sufferings from both body and soul. However, people are often ungrateful; instead of recognizing His love, they turn and slander Him, even accusing Him of being the Devil—Beelzebul. Therefore, His disciples, too, cannot expect to avoid slander and condemnation from the world.

• Second, God calls His disciples not to fear anyone in this world—except God. Whatever you have heard, touched, seen, and experienced about the love and power of God—manifested in your life, in each person, and throughout the world—you must courageously go out and proclaim. Bear witness to these truths so that, through your testimony, lost souls may find their way back to God, live according to His teachings so that they too may enjoy salvation from God.

• Third, God calls everyone—especially His disciples—to rightly fear God, the One who has power over both body and soul. As Jesus said: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna."

With the fear of God—who can destroy both body and soul, His apostles would joyfully and courageously go out to testify for God before everyone, without fear of any earthly power. Jesus invited the apostles to boldly go out into the world to preach the Word of God to all people: to proclaim a God of Love, full of power and mercy, who grants salvation and desires all people to live in happiness and share eternal life with Him.

• Fourth, He taught His disciples—and all who wholeheartedly believe in God the Father—to preach and proclaim this God of Love before everyone. Jesus said: "Everyone who acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."

When someone confesses God the Father before others, the love of Jesus Christ transforms and converts sinful souls, helping them return to the Father. And whoever acknowledges God the Father before everyone will be welcomed by Jesus Christ before God the Father; that person's name will be engraved, and that person will be rewarded in the Kingdom of Heaven.

These are the four things Jesus taught and invited the apostles to do: to joyfully set out and go forth to fulfill all that God the Father has commanded. Whoever remains faithful to the end will receive their reward in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

19:00 July 12th, 2025 - Prayer of Divine Mercy - The Way to Heaven