Daily Readings - Wed Jul 10 2024
Hosea
1Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones.2Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones.3Then they will say, "We have no king because we did not revere the LORD. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us?"7Samaria and its king will float away like a twig on the surface of the waters.8The high places of wickedness will be destroyed- it is the sin of Israel. Thorns and thistles will grow up and cover their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, "Cover us!" and to the hills, "Fall on us!"12Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.
Matthew
1He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;4Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our spiritual journey and mission. The first reading from Hosea paints a vivid picture of Israel's spiritual decay, where abundance has led to idolatry and division. Hosea calls the people to return to justice and renew their relationship with God, warning that their idols will crumble, leaving them to seek refuge in the mountains. This passage serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of spiritual complacency and the importance of seeking justice and mercy.
The Gospel from Matthew shifts our focus to the mission of Jesus and His disciples. Jesus, in His wisdom, commissions the twelve apostles to minister specifically to the lost sheep of Israel, instructing them to preach the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. This mission is not just about healing the physical ailments but also about addressing the spiritual decay that had taken root. The apostles are called to be agents of redemption, much like Hosea's call to Israel to return to justice.
These readings remind us that our faith is not a passive endeavor but an active call to live out God's justice and mercy. Just as the apostles were sent out, we too are called to be proactive in our faith, reaching out to those around us who may be lost or in need. Let us avoid the pitfalls of complacency and instead strive to renew our spiritual lives, seeking God's justice and living out His love in our daily interactions. May we, like the apostles, be bold in proclaiming the nearness of God's kingdom, bringing hope and redemption to a world in need.