Daily Readings - Tue Jul 07 2020
Hosea
4They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but I knew it not. With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction.5I have spurned your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence?6For it is from Israel; a craftsman made it; it is not God. The calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.7For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no heads; it shall yield no flour; if it were to yield, strangers would devour it.11Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they have become to him altars for sinning.12Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands, they would be regarded as a strange thing.13As for my sacrificial offerings, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but the LORD does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.
Matthew
32As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him.33And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel."34But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."35And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;38therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through themes of faith, idolatry, and the call to serve. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of a nation turned away from God, embracing idols crafted by human hands. Hosea, a prophet during a time of division and impending conquest, warns of the futility of seeking salvation through man-made objects. The people's sins lead to their downfall, as they reap the whirlwind of their actions, unable to find true cleansing. This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of diverting our focus from the divine to the mundane.
The Gospel shifts our gaze to Jesus, who embodies divine authority and mercy. Matthew recounts the healing of a mute man possessed by a demon, a miracle that astonishes the crowds but is met with skepticism by the Pharisees. Jesus's compassion for the distressed multitudes, like sheep without a shepherd, underscores His mission of healing and preaching. He calls His disciples to pray for laborers to join in the harvest, emphasizing the urgent need for spiritual leaders to guide others back to God. This call resonates deeply, urging us to consider our role in spreading the Good News.
Both readings intertwine, highlighting the perils of idolatry and the necessity of true faith. Hosea's warning against false idols mirrors our modern distractions, such as materialism, which can divert us from God. Jesus's ministry offers a counterpoint, showing that true healing and guidance come from Him alone. The moral lesson is clear: remain faithful, seek Jesus for true healing, and answer the call to be laborers in His harvest. Let us reflect on our own lives, ensuring we do not succumb to idolatry, and instead, actively spread God's word with compassion and urgency.