Daily Readings - Tue Jul 05 2022
Hosea
4They have reigned, but not by me. Leaders have emerged, and I did not recognize them. Their silver and their gold, they have made into idols for themselves, so that they might cross over5Your calf, Samaria, has been rejected. My fury has been enraged against them. How long will they be incapable of being cleansed6For it is itself also from Israel: a workman made it, and it is not God. For the calf of Samaria will be used for the webs of spiders7For they will sow wind and reap a whirlwind. It does not have a firm stalk; the bud will yield no grain. But if it does yield, strangers will eat it11For Ephraim multiplied altars to sin, and sanctuaries have become an offense for him12I will write to him my intricate laws, which have been treated like strangers13They will offer victims, they will immolate flesh and will eat, and the Lord will not accept them. For now he will remember their iniquity, and he will repay their sins: they will be turned back to Egypt
Matthew
32Then, when they had departed, behold, they brought him a man who was mute, having a demon33And after the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds wondered, saying, "Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.34But the Pharisees said, "By the prince of demons does he cast out demons.35And Jesus traveled throughout all of the cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every illness and every infirmity36Then, seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them, because they were distressed and were reclining, like sheep without a shepherd37Then he said to his disciples: "The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few38Therefore, petition the Lord of the harvest, so that he may sent out laborers to his harvest.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on faith, leadership, and the call to serve. The first reading from the prophet Hosea paints a vivid picture of a people who have turned away from God, embracing false idols and empty rituals. Hosea laments that Israel’s leaders have arisen without God’s recognition, and their silver and gold have been fashioned into idols. The prophet warns that their actions will lead to consequences, as they will be sent back to Egypt, symbolizing a return to slavery. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of spiritual complacency and the rejection of God’s laws.
In the Gospel, we see a stark contrast through the ministry of Jesus. After healing a mute man possessed by a demon, Jesus is met with both amazement and skepticism. While the crowds marvel at His power, the Pharisees attribute His miracles to the prince of demons. Undeterred, Jesus continues His mission, teaching, preaching, and healing. Seeing the crowds as “distressed and lying like sheep without a shepherd,” Jesus calls His disciples to pray for more laborers to join in the harvest of God’s kingdom. This passage emphasizes Jesus’ compassion and the urgent need for spiritual leadership and service.
The readings today invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and our role in the world. Hosea’s warning about the consequences of turning away from God challenges us to examine our own faithfulness and the ways we may have allowed idols—whether material or ideological—to take God’s place in our lives. Jesus’ example, on the other hand, calls us to compassion and action. Like the disciples, we are invited to pray for more laborers and to consider how we might answer the call to serve others in God’s name. May we strive to be faithful stewards of God’s grace, embracing the mission of the Gospel with humility and love.