Daily Readings - Wed Jul 10 2024
Hosea
1Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars.2Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and destroy their pillars.3For now they will say: "We have no king, for we do not fear the LORD; and a king--what could he do for us?"7Samaria's king shall perish like a twig on the face of the waters.8The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed. Thorn and thistle shall grow up on their altars, and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us, and to the hills, Fall on us.12Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
Matthew
1And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.2The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;4Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.5These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans,6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.7And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our spiritual journey and mission. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of Israel's spiritual decay, where abundance has led to idolatry and division. Hosea calls the people to return to justice and renew their relationship with God, warning that their idols will crumble, leaving them to seek refuge in the mountains. This passage serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of spiritual complacency and the importance of seeking justice and mercy.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the mission of Jesus and His disciples. Jesus, in His wisdom, commissions the twelve apostles to minister specifically to the lost sheep of Israel, instructing them to preach the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. This mission is not just about healing the physical ailments but also about addressing the spiritual decay that had taken root. The apostles are called to be agents of redemption, much like Hosea's call to Israel to return to justice.
These readings remind us that our faith is not a passive endeavor but an active call to live out God's justice and mercy. Just as the apostles were sent out, we too are called to be proactive in our faith, reaching out to those around us who may be lost or in need. Let us avoid the pitfalls of complacency and instead strive to renew our spiritual lives, seeking God's justice and living out His love in our daily interactions. May we, like the apostles, be bold in proclaiming the nearness of God's kingdom, bringing hope and redemption to a world in need.