Reading 1
Hos 8:4-7, 11-13
Thus says the LORD:
They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority;
they established princes, but without my approval.
With their silver and gold they made
idols for themselves, to their own destruction.
Cast away your calf, O Samaria!
my wrath is kindled against them;
How long will they be unable to attain
innocence in Israel?
The work of an artisan,
no god at all,
Destined for the flames—
such is the calf of Samaria!
When they sow the wind,
they shall reap the whirlwind;
The stalk of grain that forms no ear
can yield no flour;
Even if it could,
strangers would swallow it.
When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin,
his altars became occasions of sin.
Though I write for him my many ordinances,
they are considered as a stranger's.
Though they offer sacrifice,
immolate flesh and eat it,
the LORD is not pleased with them.
He shall still remember their guilt
and punish their sins;
they shall return to Egypt.
Gospel
Mt 9:32-38
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
"Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
But the Pharisees said,
"He drives out demons by the prince of demons."
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest."
Meditation: Psalm 115:3-10
Our God is in heaven; whatever God wills is done. (Psalm 115:3)
For most of Israel’s history, the people were surrounded by nations that worshipped a variety of idols. There were gods associated with earthly elements, seasons, natural disasters, and planetary bodies. These gods were often depicted as statues or figures to which worshippers offered sacrifices so that they could stay in their good favor. In fact, almost every culture throughout history has had its share of gods and goddesses along with its own ways of worship and sacrifice. Clearly, something in the human heart longs for the spiritual.
How blessed we are, says the psalmist, that God has met that longing by revealing himself to us! How blessed that God has shown that he is Yahweh, the Creator of all! By the simple act of speaking to us, God has shown us that he wants to be close to us, not just encased in a statue or locked away in a temple. He wants to have a relationship with us. He wants to be intimately involved in our lives. This truth, which is at the heart of the gospel message, is probably the most hopeful piece of news anyone could ever hear.
This can sound like only theory if it weren’t for the fact that in Jesus, God has come to earth and walked among us. He didn’t just show us a picture of what he might look like. He became a man like us in all things but sin—the living, breathing, physical image of the invisible God. “To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation, to prisoners, freedom, and to those in sorrow, joy” (Eucharistic Prayer IV). Unlike the idols of other nations, Jesus took on all of our experiences and filled them with divine grace. He saw our difficulties, and his heart was moved with compassion. He touched and healed us. He spoke words of forgiveness and justice. And he gave himself up for us so that we could be saved.
Today is a good day to review the many ways God has touched your life. Think about how he has shown you his presence. Never forget that Jesus loves you and wants you to be with him forever!
“Father, you are above all things! I praise you and thank you for becoming like me so that I can become like you. Your plan for me is amazing!”
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