Daily Gospel
READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the Book of the prophet Hosea
HOS 14:2-10
Thus says the LORD:
Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God;
you have collapsed through your guilt.
Take with you words,
and return to the LORD;
Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity,
and receive what is good, that we may render
as offerings the bullocks from our stalls.
Assyria will not save us,
nor shall we have horses to mount;
We shall say no more, ‘Our god,’
to the work of our hands;
for in you the orphan finds compassion.”
I will heal their defection, says the LORD,
I will love them freely;
for my wrath is turned away from them.
I will be like the dew for Israel:
he shall blossom like the lily;
He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,
and put forth his shoots.
His splendor shall be like the olive tree
and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar.
Again they shall dwell in his shade
and raise grain;
They shall blossom like the vine,
and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols?
I have humbled him, but I will prosper him.
“I am like a verdant cypress tree”—
because of me you bear fruit!Let him who is wise understand these things;
let him who is prudent know them.
Straight are the paths of the LORD,
in them the just walk,
but sinners stumble in them.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Matthew
MT 10:16-23
Jesus said to his Apostles:
“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
But beware of men,
for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.
Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel
before the Son of Man comes.”
Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Mathew 12,1-8)
God’s Word for Us
Dear people of God.
The Word of God today teaches people two principles of law.
- The law of God and of man
- The attitude or heart of man towards God the Father
First. God is the only One who created the law, and He judges man according to the law of God. The most perfect and beautiful law of God is the law of Love. The law of man fulfills people only to a certain point. It has limits. The law of God, on the other hand, offers eternal life. Therefore today, God wants to remind humanity: Do not rely on the law of man to condemn or judge your brothers and sisters. It is against the law of God.
Second. The Word of God said, ” I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” God is the Almighty. He understands thoroughly the minds, thoughts, and souls of every human being towards Him and towards his fellow human beings. He knows which soul is living the truth or a lie. No one can hide anything before His eyes. Therefore, God the Father reminds everyone: Do not live with a false heart, because when He calls you back for judgment, you will answer to His justice and fairness.
The Word of God today teaches people to live honestly before God the Father, that is to live a simple, humble, self-abasing life, to be small and subservient like a child. Live honestly in your heart with reverence, respect, fear, and love for God and neighbors. Go forth and live according to the law of God. Love God and others so you will be able to enjoy a full life in Heaven with God the Father.
Thanks Be to God. Amen.
God bless you and peace be with you!
