Daily Readings - Fri Jul 10 2020
Hosea
1Israel, convert to the Lord your God. For you have been ruined by your own iniquity2Take these words with you and return to the Lord. And say to him, "Remove all iniquity and accept the good. And we will repay the calves of our lips3Assur will not save us; we will not ride on horses. Neither will we say any more, ‘The works of our hands are our gods,’ for those that are in you will have mercy on the orphan.4I will heal their contrition; I will love them spontaneously. For my wrath has been turned away from them5I will be like the dew; Israel will spring forth like the lily, and his root will spread out like that of the cedars of Lebanon6His branches will advance, and his glory will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance will be like that of the cedars of Lebanon7They will be converted, sitting in his shadow. They will live on wheat, and they will grow like a vine. His memorial will be like the wine of the cedars of Lebanon8Ephraim will say, "What are idols to me any more?" I will listen to him, and I will set him straight like a healthy spruce tree. Your fruit has been found by me9Who is wise and will understand this? Who has understanding and will know these things? For the ways of the Lord are straight, and the just will walk in them, but truly, the traitors will fall in them
Matthew
16Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be as prudent as serpents and as simple as doves17But beware of men. For they will hand you over to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues18And you shall be led before both rulers and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles19But when they hand you over, do not choose to think about how or what to speak. For what to speak shall be given to you in that hour20For it is not you who will be speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, who will speak in you21And brother will hand over brother to death, and father will hand over son. And children will rise up against parents and bring about their deaths22And you will be hated by all for the sake of my name. But whoever will have persevered, even to the end, the same shall be saved23Now when they persecute you in one city, flee into another. Amen I say to you, you will not have exhausted all the cities of Israel, before the Son of man returns
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of faith, perseverance, and God's enduring love. The first reading from Hosea invites us to return to the Lord with humble hearts, promising healing and restoration. Hosea uses vivid imagery—dew, lilies, and cedars—to illustrate how our spiritual growth can flourish when we turn away from sin and embrace God's mercy. This passage reminds us that true conversion leads to a fruitful and vibrant life in God’s presence.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a stark yet hopeful reality. Jesus sends His disciples into a world filled with challenges and persecutions, urging them to be wise yet innocent. He assures them that in moments of trial, the Spirit will guide their words and actions. This passage teaches us to trust in God’s providence, even when facing adversity. Just as the disciples were called to perseverance, we too are reminded that enduring faithfully will lead to salvation.
Both readings call us to live with courage and trust in God. Hosea’s message of repentance and renewal encourages us to seek forgiveness continually, while Matthew’s words remind us to face life’s challenges with faith. In our daily lives, let us embrace the strength that comes from God, trusting that He will guide us through every trial. May we remain steadfast, knowing that our perseverance will ultimately lead us to eternal life.