Daily Readings - Fri Jul 08 2022
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, we encounter powerful messages of conversion and perseverance. The first reading from Hosea invites us to return to the Lord with sincerity, acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking His mercy. Hosea's words, spoken to a divided and struggling Israel, remind us that true conversion leads to healing and restoration. The second reading from Matthew presents Jesus preparing His disciples for the challenges they will face, urging them to be wise yet innocent, trusting that the Spirit will guide them in times of persecution. Both readings call us to trust in God's providence and remain faithful despite adversity.
Hosea's prophecy is set against the backdrop of Israel's infidelity and impending judgment. His call to repentance emphasizes God's enduring love and the transformative power of turning back to Him. In Matthew, Jesus equips His disciples with the assurance that they are not alone in their mission; the Spirit will speak through them. This dual emphasis on conversion and trust in divine guidance highlights the interconnected themes of seeking God's mercy and enduring trials with faith.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace continuous conversion, seeking God's forgiveness and living with integrity. When faced with challenges, we are reminded to trust in His presence and guidance. Let us, like the disciples, face each day with courage and faith, knowing that perseverance in our walk with God will lead us to eternal life. May we turn to the Lord with open hearts, trusting in His mercy and allowing His Spirit to guide us through life's trials.