Memorandum

Today's first reading is the high point of the wonderful story of Joseph and his brothers, and the responsorial psalm tells us "remember the marvels the Lord has done." That response goes equally well with the Gospel, in which Jesus is giving the Twelve their mission instructions: what they received as a free gift, they are to give as a free gift. (The Greek has this kind of pun in it with the root word for "gift" that our translations don't manage to express.) What "free gift" did they receive? Well, if they "remember the marvels the Lord has done," they will be in touch with the message they are to share. There is a rabbinical proverb, "to remember is to live." It's a good "reminder" for us!