Daily Readings - Fri Jul 08 2022
Hosea
1O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.2Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.3Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.4I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.5I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.6His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.7They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.8Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
Matthew
16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.21And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.23But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of conversion and perseverance. The first reading from Hosea invites us to return to the Lord with sincerity, acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking His mercy. Hosea's words, spoken to a divided and struggling Israel, remind us that true conversion leads to healing and restoration. The second reading from Matthew presents Jesus preparing His disciples for the challenges they will face, urging them to be wise yet innocent, trusting that the Spirit will guide them in times of persecution. Both readings call us to trust in God's providence and remain faithful despite adversity.
Hosea's prophecy is set against the backdrop of Israel's infidelity and impending judgment. His call to repentance emphasizes God's enduring love and the transformative power of turning back to Him. In Matthew, Jesus equips His disciples with the assurance that they are not alone in their mission; the Spirit will speak through them. This dual emphasis on conversion and trust in divine guidance highlights the interconnected themes of seeking God's mercy and enduring trials with faith.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace continuous conversion, seeking God's forgiveness and living with integrity. When faced with challenges, we are reminded to trust in His presence and guidance. Let us, like the disciples, face each day with courage and faith, knowing that perseverance in our walk with God will lead us to eternal life. May we turn to the Lord with open hearts, trusting in His mercy and allowing His Spirit to guide us through life's trials.