Daily Readings - Tue Jul 05 2022

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 encounter two powerful reflections on faith, leadership, and the call to serve. The first reading from the prophet Hosea paints a vivid picture of a people who have turned away from God, embracing false idols and empty rituals. Hosea laments that Israel’s leaders have arisen without God’s recognition, and their silver and gold have been fashioned into idols. The prophet warns that their actions will lead to consequences, as they will be sent back to Egypt, symbolizing a return to slavery. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of spiritual complacency and the rejection of God’s laws. In the Gospel, we see a stark contrast through the ministry of Jesus. After healing a mute man possessed by a demon, Jesus is met with both amazement and skepticism. While the crowds marvel at His power, the Pharisees attribute His miracles to the prince of demons. Undeterred, Jesus continues His mission, teaching, preaching, and healing. Seeing the crowds as “distressed and lying like sheep without a shepherd,” Jesus calls His disciples to pray for more laborers to join in the harvest of God’s kingdom. This passage emphasizes Jesus’ compassion and the urgent need for spiritual leadership and service. The readings today invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and our role in the world. Hosea’s warning about the consequences of turning away from God challenges us to examine our own faithfulness and the ways we may have allowed idols—whether material or ideological—to take God’s place in our lives. Jesus’ example, on the other hand, calls us to compassion and action. Like the disciples, we are invited to pray for more laborers and to consider how we might answer the call to serve others in God’s name. May we strive to be faithful stewards of God’s grace, embracing the mission of the Gospel with humility and love.