Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 9, 2020
First Reading: Hosea 11.1, 3-5b, 8c-9
1"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.3It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.4I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.5"Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?8"How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.9I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man- the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.
Psalm 80
1Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth2before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us.3Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.4O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?5You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.6You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.7Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.8You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.9You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.10The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches.11It sent out its boughs to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River.12Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes?13Boars from the forest ravage it and the creatures of the field feed on it.14Return to us, O God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine,15the root your right hand has planted, the son you have raised up for yourself.16Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke your people perish.17Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.18Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.19Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
Gospel: Matthew 10.7-15
7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.12As you enter the home, give it your greeting.13If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.15I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful expressions of God’s love and mercy. The first reading from Hosea portrays God as a compassionate parent, deeply grieved by Israel’s infidelity yet unwilling to abandon them. Despite their rebellion, God remains committed to healing and restoring them, refusing to give in to anger. This passage reminds us that God’s love is not conditional; it endures even when we wander.
In the Gospel, Jesus sends his disciples out into the world with a mission to preach, heal, and bring God’s kingdom near. He instructs them to travel lightly, trusting in God’s provision rather than worldly resources. This teaching challenges us to let go of our attachments to material security and instead embrace a life of radical trust and generosity. The disciples’ task is not just to perform miracles but to bring peace and hope to those they encounter. However, Jesus also warns that not everyone will receive their message, and he instructs them to move on when rejected, leaving judgment to God.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and our role as bearers of His love. Like Israel, we often falter, yet God’s mercy remains steadfast. Like the disciples, we are called to trust in His provision and share His love without reservation. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust God enough to let go of our fears and insecurities? Are we willing to step out in faith, even when the path is uncertain? May we embrace the humility and generosity of God’s love, allowing it to transform us and flow through us to others.