Daily Readings - Fri Jul 08 2022
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 conversion and perseverance. The first reading from Hosea invites us to return to the Lord with sincerity, acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking His mercy. Hosea's words, spoken to a divided and struggling Israel, remind us that true conversion leads to healing and restoration. The second reading from Matthew presents Jesus preparing His disciples for the challenges they will face, urging them to be wise yet innocent, trusting that the Spirit will guide them in times of persecution. Both readings call us to trust in God's providence and remain faithful despite adversity.
Hosea's prophecy is set against the backdrop of Israel's infidelity and impending judgment. His call to repentance emphasizes God's enduring love and the transformative power of turning back to Him. In Matthew, Jesus equips His disciples with the assurance that they are not alone in their mission; the Spirit will speak through them. This dual emphasis on conversion and trust in divine guidance highlights the interconnected themes of seeking God's mercy and enduring trials with faith.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace continuous conversion, seeking God's forgiveness and living with integrity. When faced with challenges, we are reminded to trust in His presence and guidance. Let us, like the disciples, face each day with courage and faith, knowing that perseverance in our walk with God will lead us to eternal life. May we turn to the Lord with open hearts, trusting in His mercy and allowing His Spirit to guide us through life's trials.