Daily Catholic Mass Readings for July 4, 2022
First Reading: Hosea 2.14, 15b-16, 19-20
14"Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her.15There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.16"In that day," declares the LORD, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master. '19I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.20I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD.
Psalm 145
1I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.2Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.3Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.4One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.5They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.6They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.7They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.9The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.10All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.11They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,12so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.14The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.16You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
Gospel: Matthew 9.18-26
18While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live."19Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.20Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.21She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."22Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.23When Jesus entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd,24he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him.25After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.26News of this spread through all that region.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, trust, and God's enduring love. The first reading from Hosea presents a poignant metaphor of God's relationship with Israel, portrayed as a spurned lover who nonetheless remains faithful and longing for reconciliation. Hosea's prophecy is set against the backdrop of Israel's infidelity, yet God's response is not one of rejection but of redemption, promising to restore the covenant and lead his people back to a place of hope and renewal. This passage reminds us of the depth of God's love, which persists even in the face of human failure and unfaithfulness.
The Gospel from Matthew offers two interconnected stories that highlight the transformative power of faith. The ruler, desperate for his daughter's life, and the woman suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years both approach Jesus with a mix of hope and humility. Their stories underscore the importance of trusting in God's providence, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Jesus' response to the woman—"Your faith has healed you"—and his gentle assurance to the ruler—"Do not be afraid, just have faith"—invite us to reflect on the role of faith in our own lives. These miracles are not just displays of divine power but also revelations of God's compassion and desire to restore life and wholeness.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to examine our own relationship with God. Like the woman who touched Jesus' garment, we are invited to approach him with bold faith, trusting that he can heal the deepest wounds of our hearts. Like the ruler, we are reminded to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem impossible. The readings also challenge us to see ourselves in the story of Hosea—have we wandered away from God's love? If so, we are assured that God's love remains steadfast, always ready to welcome us back. May we, like the people in today's Gospel, allow faith to guide us, trusting that God can bring life out of death and hope out of despair.