Daily Readings - Mon Jul 04 2022
Hosea
14"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.15And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt.16"And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call me 'My Husband,' and no longer will you call me 'My Baal.'19And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.20I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.
Matthew
18While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live."19And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples.20And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment,21for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well."22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well.23And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion,24he said, "Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him.25But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.26And the report of this went through all that district.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, trust, and God's enduring love. The first reading from Hosea presents a poignant metaphor of God's relationship with Israel, portrayed as a spurned lover who nonetheless remains faithful and longing for reconciliation. Hosea's prophecy is set against the backdrop of Israel's infidelity, yet God's response is not one of rejection but of redemption, promising to restore the covenant and lead his people back to a place of hope and renewal. This passage reminds us of the depth of God's love, which persists even in the face of human failure and unfaithfulness.
The Gospel from Matthew offers two interconnected stories that highlight the transformative power of faith. The ruler, desperate for his daughter's life, and the woman suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years both approach Jesus with a mix of hope and humility. Their stories underscore the importance of trusting in God's providence, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Jesus' response to the woman—"Your faith has healed you"—and his gentle assurance to the ruler—"Do not be afraid, just have faith"—invite us to reflect on the role of faith in our own lives. These miracles are not just displays of divine power but also revelations of God's compassion and desire to restore life and wholeness.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to examine our own relationship with God. Like the woman who touched Jesus' garment, we are invited to approach him with bold faith, trusting that he can heal the deepest wounds of our hearts. Like the ruler, we are reminded to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem impossible. The readings also challenge us to see ourselves in the story of Hosea—have we wandered away from God's love? If so, we are assured that God's love remains steadfast, always ready to welcome us back. May we, like the people in today's Gospel, allow faith to guide us, trusting that God can bring life out of death and hope out of despair.