Daily Readings - Wed Jul 11 2018
Hosea
1Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.2Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.3For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?7As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.8The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.12Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Matthew
1And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The 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 publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;4Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that call us to reflect on our relationship with God and our mission in the world. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of a people who, despite their prosperity, have turned away from the Lord. Israel's heart has become divided, leading to idolatry and a rejection of God's authority. Hosea warns that such infidelity will lead to destruction, urging the people to seek justice and return to the Lord. This prophecy serves as a reminder that true fruitfulness comes not from material abundance but from a life rooted in faith and integrity.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the mission of the disciples. Jesus, having called his twelve apostles, empowers them to heal and cast out unclean spirits. He instructs them to go specifically to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel," emphasizing the urgency of proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. This mission is not about seeking power or recognition but about humility and service. The disciples are called to trust in God's providence and to focus on the task at hand, avoiding distractions.
These readings are deeply connected. Hosea's call to repentance and justice finds its fulfillment in the mission of the disciples, who are sent to proclaim the kingdom. For us today, these readings invite us to examine our own hearts. Are we allowing idols—whether material possessions, distractions, or complacency—to divide our hearts? Are we living as true disciples, sharing the Good News of God's love and mercy with others? Let us take to heart Hosea's exhortation to "sow in justice" and "renew our fallow land." May we, like the apostles, embrace our mission with courage and fidelity, trusting that the Lord is always near to guide and sustain us.