Daily Readings - Mon Jul 04 2022
Hosea
14"Because of this, behold, I will attract her, and I will lead her into the wilderness, and I will speak to her heart15And I will give to her, from the same place, her vinedressers, and the valley of Achor as a passage of hope. And she will sing there as in the days of her youth, and as in the days of her ascension from the land of Egypt16And it will be in that day," says the Lord, "that she will call me, ‘My Husband,’ and she will no longer call me, ‘My Baal.19And I will betroth you to me forever, and I will betroth you to me in justice and judgment, and in mercy and compassion20And I will wed you to me in faith, and you will know that I am the Lord
Matthew
18As he was speaking these things to them, behold, a certain ruler approached and adored him, saying: "Lord, my daughter has recently passed away. But come and impose your hand upon her, and she will live.19And Jesus, rising up, followed him, with his disciples20And behold, a woman, who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years, approached from behind and touched the hem of his garment21For she said within herself, "If I will touch even his garment, I shall be saved.22But Jesus, turning and seeing her, said: "Be strengthened in faith, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour23And when Jesus had arrived in the house of the ruler, and he had seen the musicians and the tumultuous crowd24he said, "Depart. For the girl is not dead, but asleep." And they derided him25And when the crowd had been sent away, he entered. And he took her by the hand. And the girl rose up26And the news of this went out to that entire land
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, trust, and God's enduring love. The first reading from Hosea presents a poignant metaphor of God's relationship with Israel, portrayed as a spurned lover who nonetheless remains faithful and longing for reconciliation. Hosea's prophecy is set against the backdrop of Israel's infidelity, yet God's response is not one of rejection but of redemption, promising to restore the covenant and lead his people back to a place of hope and renewal. This passage reminds us of the depth of God's love, which persists even in the face of human failure and unfaithfulness.
The Gospel from Matthew offers two interconnected stories that highlight the transformative power of faith. The ruler, desperate for his daughter's life, and the woman suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years both approach Jesus with a mix of hope and humility. Their stories underscore the importance of trusting in God's providence, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Jesus' response to the woman—"Your faith has healed you"—and his gentle assurance to the ruler—"Do not be afraid, just have faith"—invite us to reflect on the role of faith in our own lives. These miracles are not just displays of divine power but also revelations of God's compassion and desire to restore life and wholeness.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to examine our own relationship with God. Like the woman who touched Jesus' garment, we are invited to approach him with bold faith, trusting that he can heal the deepest wounds of our hearts. Like the ruler, we are reminded to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem impossible. The readings also challenge us to see ourselves in the story of Hosea—have we wandered away from God's love? If so, we are assured that God's love remains steadfast, always ready to welcome us back. May we, like the people in today's Gospel, allow faith to guide us, trusting that God can bring life out of death and hope out of despair.