Daily Readings - Fri Jul 12 2024
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 are invited to reflect on the themes of trust, faith, and perseverance. The prophet Hosea calls the people of Israel to repentance, urging them to turn away from idolatry and return to the Lord with humble hearts. He paints a vivid picture of restoration, using imagery like the dew and the lily to illustrate the beauty and growth that come from repentance. Hosea's message is one of hope and mercy, reminding us that God's love is ever-ready to heal and restore those who return to Him.
In the Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face as they carry out their mission. He warns them of persecution and betrayal, even from their own families, but assures them that the Holy Spirit will guide their words and actions in times of trouble. Jesus emphasizes the importance of perseverance, promising that those who endure to the end will be saved. This message of trust in God's providence resonates deeply, encouraging us to remain faithful despite life's adversities.
Both readings remind us of the importance of placing our trust in God. Just as Hosea calls for repentance and return to the Lord, Jesus calls us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when the path is difficult. In our daily lives, we face various challenges and temptations, but through reflection and perseverance, we can grow closer to God. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and remain faithful, for it is through this trust and perseverance that we find true spiritual growth and salvation.