Daily Readings - Wed Jul 06 2022

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 powerful calls to faithfulness and mission. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of Israel's spiritual decay. Despite their prosperity, the people have turned to idolatry, building altars and idols that distract them from the one true God. Hosea warns that this divided heart will lead to ruin, urging the people to repent and seek justice and mercy. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of cultivating a fruitful spiritual life. The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the mission of the disciples. Jesus empowers them to heal and cast out spirits, sending them specifically to the lost sheep of Israel. This mission is not about seeking power or recognition but about humbly serving and proclaiming the nearness of God's kingdom. The disciples are called to be faithful messengers, trusting in God's provision and guidance. This passage invites us to reflect on our own role in sharing the Good News and serving others with compassion and humility. Together, these readings challenge us to examine our lives and our priorities. Like the Israelites in Hosea's time, we may be tempted by idols of our own—whether materialism, pride, or self-reliance. The Gospel reminds us that our true identity and purpose lie in following Christ and sharing His love with others. Let us seek to root out sin and indifference in our hearts, and instead, embrace a life of justice, mercy, and faithful witness. May we, like the disciples, go forth with courage and humility, proclaiming the nearness of God's kingdom in our own time.