Daily Readings - Mon Jul 08 2024
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 expressions of God’s enduring love and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Hosea presents a beautiful metaphor of God’s relationship with His people. Despite Israel’s infidelity, God remains faithful, promising to lead them into a wilderness of renewal and to restore their covenant with Him. This passage reflects the broader theme of God’s mercy and His desire to reconcile with His people, even when they have wandered away. Hosea’s words are a testament to the boundless love and patience of God, who continually calls His people back to Himself.
The Gospel from Matthew offers two miracles that highlight the power of faith and trust in God. The ruler, desperate for his daughter’s life, approaches Jesus with a plea for healing, while the woman suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years touches Jesus’ garment in faith, believing that even this small act will bring her salvation. Both stories demonstrate how faith can overcome even the most daunting challenges—whether it’s the finality of death or the persistence of illness. Jesus’ response to both situations shows His compassion and His authority over life and death, reinforcing the message that our trust in God can lead to healing and renewal.
These readings remind us that our relationship with God is rooted in faith and trust. Just as the woman reached out in faith and the ruler sought Jesus with hope, we too are called to approach God with confidence in His love and power. In our daily lives, we face challenges that may seem insurmountable, but the readings encourage us to turn to God, knowing that His mercy and faithfulness are always available to us. Let us reflect on the ways we can deepen our trust in God, even in the wilderness of our own struggles, and remember that His love is always ready to restore and renew us.