Daily Readings - Wed Jul 08 2020
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 profound messages that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of Israel's unfaithfulness and the ensuing call to repentance. Hosea warns of the consequences of turning away from God, urging the people to seek the Lord and cultivate justice. This passage serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining faithful and vigilant in our relationship with God.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to Jesus' mission, as He sends out His twelve apostles to preach to the lost sheep of Israel. This passage highlights the expansion of Jesus' ministry and the trust He places in His disciples to spread His message. It underscores the theme of outreach and the responsibility that comes with being disciples of Christ.
Both readings, though distinct, intertwine beautifully. Hosea's call to repentance and justice mirrors Jesus' call to His disciples to spread the message of the kingdom. Together, they remind us to examine our hearts, let go of distractions, and be open to God's mercy. The moral lesson here is clear: we are called to seek justice and live with integrity, trusting in God's providence to guide us. As we navigate our daily lives, may we embrace this call with faith and dedication.