St Maelruain, bishop and abbot<\/p>\n
Famine is one of the burning issues in the world today. Social media shows organisations such as CONCERN, Tr\u00f3caire and UNICEF continually showing images of the plight of poverty. They send URGENT APPEALS \u2018to save children from hunger and malnutrition.\u2019 Famine continues to threaten the world in these times of climate injustice among other injustices. Pope Francis in his writings continually speaks of famine and its consequences. We pause to remember those who are experiencing hunger at this moment in time.<\/p>\n
The reading proclaimed at Mass today (Gen 41: 55-57, 42:5-7, 17-24) begins the long story of Joseph\u2019s meeting with his brothers.\u00a0 At this time, there was a famine in the land of Egypt and the people came to Pharaoh looking for bread. He told the Egyptians to go to Joseph, who opened the storehouses and sold grain to them. As the famine worsened, people also came from other countries to buy grain. Among those who came were Joseph\u2019s brothers who were jealous of him, rejected him, and threw him in a pit. Joseph recognised them but did not acknowledge them. The brothers did not recognise him. Joseph punished them by making them repent for the crime they committed against him. He told them that one of them must sacrifice himself, before his brother Joseph will reveal who he is. Joseph imprisoned them for three days. The brothers felt guilty and regretted their treatment of Joseph. They stood arguing among themselves, not knowing that Joseph understood what they were saying (with the presence of an interpreter). Joseph withdrew for a while and wept. On his return, he took Simeon and had him put in prison.<\/p>\n
While Joseph desired to forgive his brothers, forgiveness did not cancel out the necessity of making amends for the violence they had done. Joseph had a plan. It is not part of today\u2019s reading\u2026.<\/p>\n
Psalm 32 proclaimed at Mass, expresses the desire of the psalmist for God\u2019s love as God\u2019s people place their hope in God. The assembly respond with one voice saying, \u2018May your love be upon us. O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.\u2019<\/p>\n
The Gospel (Mt 10:1-7) names the twelve apostles. This group of twelve will understand that they are the foundation of the Church. \u00a0The Word outlines Jesus\u2019 summoning the twelve and giving \u2018them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sicknesses.\u2019 As Jesus teaches them and gives them their mission, he sends them to proclaim the Kingdom of God. This group of twelve are the witnesses of Jesus among people, so he is teaching them what he wants them to do. \u00a0In turn, these twelve missionaries will call others as Jesus called them. These successors will be missionaries continuing the mission of Jesus. They will strive to do God\u2019s will as they pray, live and serve those who live in poverty with love and tenderness. Jesus promised to remain with them until the end of time. He did this by sending the Holy Spirit. Jesus continues to nourish the lives of the disciples through the sacraments.<\/p>\n