Daily Readings - Mon Jul 08 2024
Hosea
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.
Matthew
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 expressions of God’s enduring love and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Hosea presents a beautiful metaphor of God’s relationship with His people. Despite Israel’s infidelity, God remains faithful, promising to lead them into a wilderness of renewal and to restore their covenant with Him. This passage reflects the broader theme of God’s mercy and His desire to reconcile with His people, even when they have wandered away. Hosea’s words are a testament to the boundless love and patience of God, who continually calls His people back to Himself.
The Gospel from Matthew offers two miracles that highlight the power of faith and trust in God. The ruler, desperate for his daughter’s life, approaches Jesus with a plea for healing, while the woman suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years touches Jesus’ garment in faith, believing that even this small act will bring her salvation. Both stories demonstrate how faith can overcome even the most daunting challenges—whether it’s the finality of death or the persistence of illness. Jesus’ response to both situations shows His compassion and His authority over life and death, reinforcing the message that our trust in God can lead to healing and renewal.
These readings remind us that our relationship with God is rooted in faith and trust. Just as the woman reached out in faith and the ruler sought Jesus with hope, we too are called to approach God with confidence in His love and power. In our daily lives, we face challenges that may seem insurmountable, but the readings encourage us to turn to God, knowing that His mercy and faithfulness are always available to us. Let us reflect on the ways we can deepen our trust in God, even in the wilderness of our own struggles, and remember that His love is always ready to restore and renew us.