Daily Readings - Wed Jul 06 2022
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 calls to faithfulness and mission. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of Israel's spiritual decay. Despite their prosperity, the people have turned to idolatry, building altars and idols that distract them from the one true God. Hosea warns that this divided heart will lead to ruin, urging the people to repent and seek justice and mercy. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of cultivating a fruitful spiritual life.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the mission of the disciples. Jesus empowers them to heal and cast out spirits, sending them specifically to the lost sheep of Israel. This mission is not about seeking power or recognition but about humbly serving and proclaiming the nearness of God's kingdom. The disciples are called to be faithful messengers, trusting in God's provision and guidance. This passage invites us to reflect on our own role in sharing the Good News and serving others with compassion and humility.
Together, these readings challenge us to examine our lives and our priorities. Like the Israelites in Hosea's time, we may be tempted by idols of our own—whether materialism, pride, or self-reliance. The Gospel reminds us that our true identity and purpose lie in following Christ and sharing His love with others. Let us seek to root out sin and indifference in our hearts, and instead, embrace a life of justice, mercy, and faithful witness. May we, like the disciples, go forth with courage and humility, proclaiming the nearness of God's kingdom in our own time.