Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 10, 2018
First Reading: Hosea 8.4-7, 11-13
4They have reigned, but not by me. Leaders have emerged, and I did not recognize them. Their silver and their gold, they have made into idols for themselves, so that they might cross over5Your calf, Samaria, has been rejected. My fury has been enraged against them. How long will they be incapable of being cleansed6For it is itself also from Israel: a workman made it, and it is not God. For the calf of Samaria will be used for the webs of spiders7For they will sow wind and reap a whirlwind. It does not have a firm stalk; the bud will yield no grain. But if it does yield, strangers will eat it11For Ephraim multiplied altars to sin, and sanctuaries have become an offense for him12I will write to him my intricate laws, which have been treated like strangers13They will offer victims, they will immolate flesh and will eat, and the Lord will not accept them. For now he will remember their iniquity, and he will repay their sins: they will be turned back to Egypt
Psalm 115
1Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory2Give glory to your mercy and your truth, lest the Gentiles should say, "Where is their God?3But our God is in heaven. All things whatsoever that he has willed, he has done4The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the works of the hands of men5They have mouths, and do not speak; they have eyes, and do not see6They have ears, and do not hear; they have noses, and do not smell7They have hands, and do not feel; they have feet, and do not walk. Neither will they cry out with their throat8Let those who make them become like them, along with all who trust in them9The house of Israel has hoped in the Lord. He is their helper and their protector10The house of Aaron has hoped in the Lord. He is their helper and their protector11Those who fear the Lord have hoped in the Lord. He is their helper and their protector12The Lord has been mindful of us, and he has blessed us. He has blessed the house of Israel. He has blessed the house of Aaron13He has blessed all who fear the Lord, the small with the great14May the Lord add blessings upon you: upon you, and upon your sons15Blessed are you by the Lord, who made heaven and earth16The heaven of heaven is for the Lord, but the earth he has given to the sons of men17The dead will not praise you, Lord, and neither will all those who descend into Hell18But we who live will bless the Lord, from this time forward, and even forever
Gospel: Matthew 9.32-38
32Then, when they had departed, behold, they brought him a man who was mute, having a demon33And after the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds wondered, saying, "Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.34But the Pharisees said, "By the prince of demons does he cast out demons.35And Jesus traveled throughout all of the cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every illness and every infirmity36Then, seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them, because they were distressed and were reclining, like sheep without a shepherd37Then he said to his disciples: "The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few38Therefore, petition the Lord of the harvest, so that he may sent out laborers to his harvest.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faithfulness, compassion, and the call to spiritual leadership. In the first reading from the prophet Hosea, we hear a stern warning to the people of Israel, who have turned away from God and embraced false idols. Hosea laments their rebellion, pointing out that their silver and gold, which they have turned into idols, cannot save them. He warns that their sin will lead to judgment and that they will reap the whirlwind for their faithlessness. This passage reminds us that when we place our trust in created things rather than the Creator, we risk losing our way and facing the consequences of our actions.
In the Gospel, we encounter Jesus, who embodies the opposite of the spiritual decay described in Hosea. Jesus heals a mute man possessed by a demon, and the crowds are amazed at His power. However, the Pharisees dismiss His miracles, attributing them to the power of the devil. Despite this opposition, Jesus continues His mission of preaching, teaching, and healing. He looks out over the crowds with compassion, seeing them as sheep without a shepherd, and calls His disciples to pray for more laborers to help bring in the spiritual harvest. This passage highlights Jesus' deep concern for the lost and the importance of responding to the spiritual needs of others.
The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on the need for authentic spiritual leadership and the call to faithfulness. Hosea warns against the dangers of false idols and the consequences of turning away from God, while Jesus shows us what it means to be a true shepherd, offering healing, hope, and guidance to those in need. These readings challenge us to examine our own lives: Are we placing our trust in the right things? Are we responding to the call to serve others with compassion and love? Let us pray for the grace to remain faithful to God and to be instruments of His mercy and healing in the world.