Daily Readings - Wed Jul 11 2018
Hosea
1Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones.2Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones.3Then they will say, "We have no king because we did not revere the LORD. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us?"7Samaria and its king will float away like a twig on the surface of the waters.8The high places of wickedness will be destroyed- it is the sin of Israel. Thorns and thistles will grow up and cover their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, "Cover us!" and to the hills, "Fall on us!"12Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
Matthew
1He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;4Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that call us to reflect on our relationship with God and our mission in the world. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of a people who, despite their prosperity, have turned away from the Lord. Israel's heart has become divided, leading to idolatry and a rejection of God's authority. Hosea warns that such infidelity will lead to destruction, urging the people to seek justice and return to the Lord. This prophecy serves as a reminder that true fruitfulness comes not from material abundance but from a life rooted in faith and integrity.
The Gospel reading from Matthew shifts our focus to the mission of the disciples. Jesus, having called his twelve apostles, empowers them to heal and cast out unclean spirits. He instructs them to go specifically to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel," emphasizing the urgency of proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. This mission is not about seeking power or recognition but about humility and service. The disciples are called to trust in God's providence and to focus on the task at hand, avoiding distractions.
These readings are deeply connected. Hosea's call to repentance and justice finds its fulfillment in the mission of the disciples, who are sent to proclaim the kingdom. For us today, these readings invite us to examine our own hearts. Are we allowing idols—whether material possessions, distractions, or complacency—to divide our hearts? Are we living as true disciples, sharing the Good News of God's love and mercy with others? Let us take to heart Hosea's exhortation to "sow in justice" and "renew our fallow land." May we, like the apostles, embrace our mission with courage and fidelity, trusting that the Lord is always near to guide and sustain us.