Daily Readings - Mon Jul 08 2024
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 expressions of God’s enduring love and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Hosea presents a beautiful metaphor of God’s relationship with His people. Despite Israel’s infidelity, God remains faithful, promising to lead them into a wilderness of renewal and to restore their covenant with Him. This passage reflects the broader theme of God’s mercy and His desire to reconcile with His people, even when they have wandered away. Hosea’s words are a testament to the boundless love and patience of God, who continually calls His people back to Himself.
The Gospel from Matthew offers two miracles that highlight the power of faith and trust in God. The ruler, desperate for his daughter’s life, approaches Jesus with a plea for healing, while the woman suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years touches Jesus’ garment in faith, believing that even this small act will bring her salvation. Both stories demonstrate how faith can overcome even the most daunting challenges—whether it’s the finality of death or the persistence of illness. Jesus’ response to both situations shows His compassion and His authority over life and death, reinforcing the message that our trust in God can lead to healing and renewal.
These readings remind us that our relationship with God is rooted in faith and trust. Just as the woman reached out in faith and the ruler sought Jesus with hope, we too are called to approach God with confidence in His love and power. In our daily lives, we face challenges that may seem insurmountable, but the readings encourage us to turn to God, knowing that His mercy and faithfulness are always available to us. Let us reflect on the ways we can deepen our trust in God, even in the wilderness of our own struggles, and remember that His love is always ready to restore and renew us.