In the Gospel today, Jesus sends out the disciples to proclaim the kingdom. One of the things that the Lord said: “Do not bring gold, or silver or copper for your belts, no sack for the journey, or second tunic or sandals or walking stick.” Why doesn't the Lord want the disciples to bring all of these things? Because he wanted them to focus on the message, and that they shouldn't let anything get in the way of proclaiming the kingdom of God.

There was a story told about a priest who was sent to do missionary work in Tanzania, and he had a laptop computer, iphone and ipad, and all his electronics. He was worried that they won't have internet there, so he wrote a letter to the Bishop, asking him: Do you have internet? The Bishop wrote back and said: “Father, we're looking forward to your presence in our country. We don't have internet, but we will make sure that you have a mosquito net.”

In our first reading, we continue the story of Joseph of Egypt. Despite his circumstances, God called him to embrace an important role, to help people during times of famine, not only the people of Egypt, but also his own biological family. Now, Joseph could have refused to give his family food. He had reasons to hold back. Look at the way they treated him. They sold him into slavery, Joseph spent 13 years in an Egyptian prison. Joseph could've spent those years figuring out a way to get his revenge. When his brothers visited them, he could have them arrested and send them to prison. Instead, Joseph chose mercy. The results were wonderful. Not only did he helped his family, but he also paved the way for God to bring peace and healing to his family. Because of Joseph's forgiveness, Jacob and descendants could once more become God's chosen one, and the covenant God had established with Abraham continues, and great people were born such as King David, and prophets, and centuries later, Jesus the Messiah. It was all because Joseph chose to be merciful. If God accomplished all this through Joseph's forgiveness, imagine what he can do when we choose to forgive. Let us ask God for the grace to be merciful. 

Think about a person in your past that may have hurt you, and maybe you have been holding to a grudge for a long time.  Can you forgive that person.  Can you understand why that person did what they did?  Can you ask God for help to forgive that person?  

 Let us ask God to help us break any cycles of revenge. As we remember the merciful words of Jesus from the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” And we can see the Kingdom of God unfolding in our midst.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.