Daily Readings - Wed Jul 08 2020

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 profound messages that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of Israel's unfaithfulness and the ensuing call to repentance. Hosea warns of the consequences of turning away from God, urging the people to seek the Lord and cultivate justice. This passage serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining faithful and vigilant in our relationship with God. The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus' mission, as He sends out His twelve apostles to preach to the lost sheep of Israel. This passage highlights the expansion of Jesus' ministry and the trust He places in His disciples to spread His message. It underscores the theme of outreach and the responsibility that comes with being disciples of Christ. Both readings, though distinct, intertwine beautifully. Hosea's call to repentance and justice mirrors Jesus' call to His disciples to spread the message of the kingdom. Together, they remind us to examine our hearts, let go of distractions, and be open to God's mercy. The moral lesson here is clear: we are called to seek justice and live with integrity, trusting in God's providence to guide us. As we navigate our daily lives, may we embrace this call with faith and dedication.