Besides the very basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, what we desire most is protection and security.
In fact, safety from harm and danger may even be more important than food and shelter at times.
Certainly whenever we are aware of impending harm and danger, we would go all out to protect ourselves, even leaving aside food and shelter for the time being.
So when Jesus instructed His disciples to remember that He was sending them out like sheep among wolves, they would have quivered with fear.
That was not something that they liked to hear. Who in the right mind wants to go and face danger like sheep going to meet wolves.
But Jesus also told them to be "cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves".
It means that they must be wise enough to see the danger and not to be harmed by it.
In the 1st reading, we hear of Joseph being reunited with his father Israel and it was a deeply emotional moment for father and son.
Joseph had gone through many trials and dangers but he trusted in God and God rewarded him abundantly.
May we also trust in God and listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit as we face the twists and turns of life.
May we also look forward with faith and hope that we will finally be reunited with God and be rewarded with eternal peace and joy.