Reading of The Day
A reading from the Book of the prophet Hosea
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 of The Day
From the Gospel according to Matthew
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.”
Tuesday of 14th Week in Ordinary Time
(Mt 9:32-38)
God’s Word for Us
Dear People of God,
Today’s Word of God tells of Jesus casting out a demon possessed from a man who was mute. What is a mute demon? What is a demon possession? How many types of demons are there in the world today? Dear: there are many types of demons, irrespective of their number. Where do these demons come from? Demons were formed from the fact that people sold their souls to Satan, cooperated with Satan, listened to Satan’s instigation against God, from which appeared different types of demons and that soul was controlled and bound by Satan.
Jesus’ exorcism was the starting point for His disciples to follow. The apostles followed the work of Jesus Christ: casting out demons and healing the sick and sinners. Jesus’ disciples help to untie the chains that Satan binds to people’s souls and bodies, helping people to be healthy in mind and body.
The word of God today shows that with the power and strength of God, Jesus Christ spoke only one Word, and the mute demon had to be driven out of the patient. And when the demon came out of the mute man, the patient was restored to a normal, healthy person like God created from the beginning, and the mute man was able to speak and do as God’s teaching.
Nowadays, if a person’s soul and body are controlled and bound by Satan, without God removing the chains from Satan, his soul and body will easily be tempted by Satan and follow the direction of their cunning schemes. Therefore, God invites His children to: run to Him, pray constantly, make self-sacrifice, live according to God’s instructions, and He will help them to escape and save them from bondage of Satan that bind the person’s soul and body. They will be restored to full health in body and soul, and live happily with God.
Today, God also uses His chosen apostles as His instruments to continue the mission of Jesus Christ: preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, calling people to repentance, exorcism and healing for the sick and sinners. Therefore, all who believe and pray to God through His apostles, God’s chosen people, God will heal both physically and spiritually. He will drive out Satan who is holding, controlling and binding that person’s soul and body. Whoever believes in the power and strength of God manifested in His apostles, will be saved by God himself, and will untie the chains that Satan binds; and when the ropes are broken, the person’s soul and body will be at peace and happy in the loving arms of God the Father.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
