Daily Readings - Tue Jul 07 2020
Hosea
4They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.5Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?6For from Israel was it also: the workman made it; therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.7For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.11Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.12I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.13They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.
Matthew
32As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.33And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.34But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.35And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through themes of faith, idolatry, and the call to serve. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of a nation turned away from God, embracing idols crafted by human hands. Hosea, a prophet during a time of division and impending conquest, warns of the futility of seeking salvation through man-made objects. The people's sins lead to their downfall, as they reap the whirlwind of their actions, unable to find true cleansing. This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of diverting our focus from the divine to the mundane.
The Gospel shifts our gaze to Jesus, who embodies divine authority and mercy. Matthew recounts the healing of a mute man possessed by a demon, a miracle that astonishes the crowds but is met with skepticism by the Pharisees. Jesus's compassion for the distressed multitudes, like sheep without a shepherd, underscores His mission of healing and preaching. He calls His disciples to pray for laborers to join in the harvest, emphasizing the urgent need for spiritual leaders to guide others back to God. This call resonates deeply, urging us to consider our role in spreading the Good News.
Both readings intertwine, highlighting the perils of idolatry and the necessity of true faith. Hosea's warning against false idols mirrors our modern distractions, such as materialism, which can divert us from God. Jesus's ministry offers a counterpoint, showing that true healing and guidance come from Him alone. The moral lesson is clear: remain faithful, seek Jesus for true healing, and answer the call to be laborers in His harvest. Let us reflect on our own lives, ensuring we do not succumb to idolatry, and instead, actively spread God's word with compassion and urgency.