Daily Readings - Tue Jul 07 2020
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
In today's readings, we journey through themes of faith, idolatry, and the call to serve. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of a nation turned away from God, embracing idols crafted by human hands. Hosea, a prophet during a time of division and impending conquest, warns of the futility of seeking salvation through man-made objects. The people's sins lead to their downfall, as they reap the whirlwind of their actions, unable to find true cleansing. This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of diverting our focus from the divine to the mundane.
The Gospel shifts our gaze to Jesus, who embodies divine authority and mercy. Matthew recounts the healing of a mute man possessed by a demon, a miracle that astonishes the crowds but is met with skepticism by the Pharisees. Jesus's compassion for the distressed multitudes, like sheep without a shepherd, underscores His mission of healing and preaching. He calls His disciples to pray for laborers to join in the harvest, emphasizing the urgent need for spiritual leaders to guide others back to God. This call resonates deeply, urging us to consider our role in spreading the Good News.
Both readings intertwine, highlighting the perils of idolatry and the necessity of true faith. Hosea's warning against false idols mirrors our modern distractions, such as materialism, which can divert us from God. Jesus's ministry offers a counterpoint, showing that true healing and guidance come from Him alone. The moral lesson is clear: remain faithful, seek Jesus for true healing, and answer the call to be laborers in His harvest. Let us reflect on our own lives, ensuring we do not succumb to idolatry, and instead, actively spread God's word with compassion and urgency.