Daily Readings - Mon Jul 04 2022
Hosea
14Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.15And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.16And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.19And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.20I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.
Matthew
18While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.19And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.20And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:21For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.23And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,24He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.25But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.26And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, trust, and God's enduring love. The first reading from Hosea presents a poignant metaphor of God's relationship with Israel, portrayed as a spurned lover who nonetheless remains faithful and longing for reconciliation. Hosea's prophecy is set against the backdrop of Israel's infidelity, yet God's response is not one of rejection but of redemption, promising to restore the covenant and lead his people back to a place of hope and renewal. This passage reminds us of the depth of God's love, which persists even in the face of human failure and unfaithfulness.
The Gospel from Matthew offers two interconnected stories that highlight the transformative power of faith. The ruler, desperate for his daughter's life, and the woman suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years both approach Jesus with a mix of hope and humility. Their stories underscore the importance of trusting in God's providence, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Jesus' response to the woman—"Your faith has healed you"—and his gentle assurance to the ruler—"Do not be afraid, just have faith"—invite us to reflect on the role of faith in our own lives. These miracles are not just displays of divine power but also revelations of God's compassion and desire to restore life and wholeness.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to examine our own relationship with God. Like the woman who touched Jesus' garment, we are invited to approach him with bold faith, trusting that he can heal the deepest wounds of our hearts. Like the ruler, we are reminded to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem impossible. The readings also challenge us to see ourselves in the story of Hosea—have we wandered away from God's love? If so, we are assured that God's love remains steadfast, always ready to welcome us back. May we, like the people in today's Gospel, allow faith to guide us, trusting that God can bring life out of death and hope out of despair.