Daily Readings - Wed Jul 11 2018

¹Israel is a leafy vine, its fruit has been suitable to him. According to the multitude of his fruit, he has multiplied altars; according to the fertility of his land, he has abounded with graven images²His heart has been divided, so now they will cross the divide. He will break apart their images; he will plunder their sanctuaries³For now they will say, "We have no king. For we do not fear the Lord. And what would a king do for us?⁷Samaria has required her king to pass by, like foam on the face of the water⁸And the heights of the idol, the sin of Israel, will be utterly destroyed. The burr and the thistle will rise up over their altars. And they will say to the mountains, ‘Cover us,’ and to the hills, ‘Fall on us.¹²Sow for yourselves in justice, and harvest in the mouth of mercy; renew your fallow land. But the time when you will seek the Lord is the time when he will arrive who will teach you justice

Matthew

Chapter 10

¹And having called together his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to cure every sickness and every infirmity²Now the names of the twelve Apostles are these: the First, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother³James of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector, and James of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus⁴Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him⁵Jesus sent these twelve, instructing them, saying: "Do not travel by the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter into the city of the Samaritans⁶but instead go to the sheep who have fallen away from the house of Israel⁷And going forth, preach, saying: ‘For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that call us to reflect on our relationship with God and our mission in the world. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of a people who, despite their prosperity, have turned away from the Lord. Israel's heart has become divided, leading to idolatry and a rejection of God's authority. Hosea warns that such infidelity will lead to destruction, urging the people to seek justice and return to the Lord. This prophecy serves as a reminder that true fruitfulness comes not from material abundance but from a life rooted in faith and integrity. The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the mission of the disciples. Jesus, having called his twelve apostles, empowers them to heal and cast out unclean spirits. He instructs them to go specifically to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel," emphasizing the urgency of proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. This mission is not about seeking power or recognition but about humility and service. The disciples are called to trust in God's providence and to focus on the task at hand, avoiding distractions. These readings are deeply connected. Hosea's call to repentance and justice finds its fulfillment in the mission of the disciples, who are sent to proclaim the kingdom. For us today, these readings invite us to examine our own hearts. Are we allowing idols—whether material possessions, distractions, or complacency—to divide our hearts? Are we living as true disciples, sharing the Good News of God's love and mercy with others? Let us take to heart Hosea's exhortation to "sow in justice" and "renew our fallow land." May we, like the apostles, embrace our mission with courage and fidelity, trusting that the Lord is always near to guide and sustain us.