Daily Readings - Tue Jul 10 2018
Hosea
4They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction.5Throw out your calf-idol, O Samaria! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?6They are from Israel! This calf-a craftsman has made it; it is not God. It will be broken in pieces, that calf of Samaria.7"They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no head; it will produce no flour. Were it to yield grain, foreigners would swallow it up.11"Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning.12I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something alien.13They offer sacrifices given to me and they eat the meat, but the LORD is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.
Matthew
32While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.33And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."34But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faithfulness, compassion, and the call to spiritual leadership. In the first reading from the prophet Hosea, we hear a stern warning to the people of Israel, who have turned away from God and embraced false idols. Hosea laments their rebellion, pointing out that their silver and gold, which they have turned into idols, cannot save them. He warns that their sin will lead to judgment and that they will reap the whirlwind for their faithlessness. This passage reminds us that when we place our trust in created things rather than the Creator, we risk losing our way and facing the consequences of our actions.
In the Gospel, we encounter Jesus, who embodies the opposite of the spiritual decay described in Hosea. Jesus heals a mute man possessed by a demon, and the crowds are amazed at His power. However, the Pharisees dismiss His miracles, attributing them to the power of the devil. Despite this opposition, Jesus continues His mission of preaching, teaching, and healing. He looks out over the crowds with compassion, seeing them as sheep without a shepherd, and calls His disciples to pray for more laborers to help bring in the spiritual harvest. This passage highlights Jesus' deep concern for the lost and the importance of responding to the spiritual needs of others.
The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on the need for authentic spiritual leadership and the call to faithfulness. Hosea warns against the dangers of false idols and the consequences of turning away from God, while Jesus shows us what it means to be a true shepherd, offering healing, hope, and guidance to those in need. These readings challenge us to examine our own lives: Are we placing our trust in the right things? Are we responding to the call to serve others with compassion and love? Let us pray for the grace to remain faithful to God and to be instruments of His mercy and healing in the world.