Daily Readings - Fri Jul 08 2022
Hosea
1Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!2Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.3Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount war-horses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion."4"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.5I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;6his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.7Men will dwell again in his shade. He will flourish like the grain. He will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.8O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me."9Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
Matthew
16I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.18On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.21"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.22All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.23When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages of conversion and perseverance. The first reading from Hosea invites us to return to the Lord with sincerity, acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking His mercy. Hosea's words, spoken to a divided and struggling Israel, remind us that true conversion leads to healing and restoration. The second reading from Matthew presents Jesus preparing His disciples for the challenges they will face, urging them to be wise yet innocent, trusting that the Spirit will guide them in times of persecution. Both readings call us to trust in God's providence and remain faithful despite adversity.
Hosea's prophecy is set against the backdrop of Israel's infidelity and impending judgment. His call to repentance emphasizes God's enduring love and the transformative power of turning back to Him. In Matthew, Jesus equips His disciples with the assurance that they are not alone in their mission; the Spirit will speak through them. This dual emphasis on conversion and trust in divine guidance highlights the interconnected themes of seeking God's mercy and enduring trials with faith.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace continuous conversion, seeking God's forgiveness and living with integrity. When faced with challenges, we are reminded to trust in His presence and guidance. Let us, like the disciples, face each day with courage and faith, knowing that perseverance in our walk with God will lead us to eternal life. May we turn to the Lord with open hearts, trusting in His mercy and allowing His Spirit to guide us through life's trials.