Daily Readings - Thu Jul 09 2020
Hosea
1Just as the morning passes, so has the king of Israel passed by. For Israel was a child and I loved him; and out of Egypt I called my son3And I was like a foster father to Ephraim. I carried them in my arms. And they did not know that I healed them4I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love. And I will be to them like one who raises the yoke over their jaws. And I will reach down to him so that he may eat5He will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assur himself will be the king over him, because they were not willing to be converted8How will I provide for you, Ephraim; how will I protect you, Israel? How will I provide for you as for Adam; will I set you like Zeboiim? My heart has changed within me; together with my regret, it has been stirred up9I will not act on the fury of my wrath. I will not turn back to utterly destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, the Divine in your midst, and I will not advance upon the city
Matthew
7And going forth, preach, saying: ‘For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.8Cure the infirm, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You have received freely, so give freely9Do not choose to possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your belts10nor provisions for the journey, nor two tunics, nor shoes, nor a staff. For the laborer deserves his portion11Now, into whatever city or town you will enter, inquire as to who is worthy within it. And stay there until you depart12Then, when you enter into the house, greet it, saying, ‘Peace to this house.13And if, indeed, that house is worthy, your peace will rest upon it. But if it is not worthy, your peace will return to you14And whoever has neither received you, nor listened to your words, departing from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet15Amen I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful expressions of God’s love and mercy. The first reading from Hosea portrays God as a compassionate parent, deeply grieved by Israel’s infidelity yet unwilling to abandon them. Despite their rebellion, God remains committed to healing and restoring them, refusing to give in to anger. This passage reminds us that God’s love is not conditional; it endures even when we wander.
In the Gospel, Jesus sends his disciples out into the world with a mission to preach, heal, and bring God’s kingdom near. He instructs them to travel lightly, trusting in God’s provision rather than worldly resources. This teaching challenges us to let go of our attachments to material security and instead embrace a life of radical trust and generosity. The disciples’ task is not just to perform miracles but to bring peace and hope to those they encounter. However, Jesus also warns that not everyone will receive their message, and he instructs them to move on when rejected, leaving judgment to God.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and our role as bearers of His love. Like Israel, we often falter, yet God’s mercy remains steadfast. Like the disciples, we are called to trust in His provision and share His love without reservation. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust God enough to let go of our fears and insecurities? Are we willing to step out in faith, even when the path is uncertain? May we embrace the humility and generosity of God’s love, allowing it to transform us and flow through us to others.