Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5 / Matthew 10:7-15
Reading the Old Testament can be quite challenging because it may be difficult to understand the culture and the practices of that time.
Yet the Old Testament delves deep into human relationships and emotions and gives a human face and a human heart to its characters.
In the 1st reading, we come across one of the deepest human emotions - the sadness and grief over the loss of a loved one.
Despite the passing years, Jacob would still recall the loss of Joseph with a hidden but deep sadness.
Similarly, Joseph had been thinking of his father and longed to see him again.
That might remind us of those three words that often expressed regret and sadness and grief.
The three words are - I should have ...
These words are often expressed in several ways like :
I should have spent more time with my parents before they passed away.
I should have spent more time with my spouse and children at home.
I should have been there for my friends when they needed my help.
Words that are laced with regret, sadness and even grief.
But it also reminds us that every moment is a moment of love and to be loving to another person, especially those who are close to us.
The moment is now. If we postpone it, we will end up saying "I should have".