Daily Readings - Fri Jul 13 2018
Hosea
1Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.2Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, "Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.3Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy."4I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.5I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;6his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon.7They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.8O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.9Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
Matthew
16"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.17Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,18and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.19When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.21Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,22and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Sermon
In today's readings, Hosea and Matthew present powerful messages about trust and perseverance in the face of adversity. Hosea, speaking to a divided and sinful Israel, calls for repentance and a return to the Lord, promising restoration and growth through God's mercy. The passage uses vivid natural imagery, such as dew and lilies, to illustrate the potential for renewal. Hosea emphasizes that wisdom lies in understanding and following God's straight paths.
In Matthew, Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face, warning them of persecution and betrayal. He assures them that the Holy Spirit will guide their words during trials, urging them to persevere. The passage underscores the importance of faith and trust in God, even when facing hardship, and advises seeking refuge in other communities when necessary, with the promise that their mission will be completed before the Son of Man returns.
These readings remind us that, like the disciples and the Israelites, we may face struggles in our lives. However, we are called to trust in God's providence and remain faithful. In our daily lives, whether dealing with personal challenges or broader societal issues, we can draw strength from the assurance that God's Spirit guides us. Let us embrace perseverance and trust, knowing that our efforts to follow God's path will ultimately lead to salvation and restoration.