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July 8, 2014

In the first reading, God is angry at those who presume to worship Him or do things for Him which He did not order them to do. He warns people who show off their love of God, but inside they do not truly love Him because they do not follow His commands. This happens to us when we pray a lot and do good deeds and make a big show of it. But when God wants us to give up something for Him, we hesitate. We have our own ideas of how to serve God when all He wants us to do is to obey his law of love. “Love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus went to the people in need of his help and gave his time and effort for them. Many saints have followed in His footsteps. As he did, Jesus wants us to show our love in action – helping the poor and the sick, treating people justly including paying our workers their just wage. If we do otherwise, God, who sees everything, will make clear to us his displeasure.

The gospel tells us that there is a strong demand for harvesters who will help Jesus bring people to the knowledge of God. Jesus worked tirelessly proclaiming the Kingdom of God, reminding people to turn to God for healing, and personally curing their illnesses. We are to continue his mission to preach the Good News to a pagan society. We must pray for more vocations and also lay missionaries who will devote their lives to saving men and women by introducing them to the Kingdom of God.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 4

<< Tuesday, July 8, 2014 >>

Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13
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Psalm 115:3-10

Matthew 9:32-38
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"Cast away your calf, O Samaria!" —Hosea 8:5

After Solomon's death, Jeroboam seized control of the ten northern tribes of Israel. He knew his subjects would go south to worship in Jerusalem, thus eroding his power base and personal safety (1 Kgs 12:26-27). So Jeroboam sold out in order to keep himself rolling in power and money. He set aside truth and set up a new religion and culture. He built two golden calves (1 Kgs 12:28; see Ex 32:8), which were nothing less than idols, and told the people that the shrines of these calves were the "in" places to worship God. He relieved them of the "obligation" to travel to Jerusalem, making worship convenient and cheaper. The people were focused on convenience and money, not true worship of God. So they swallowed Jeroboam's scheme hook, line, and sinker.

Hosea addresses the idolatrous northern tribes of Israel: "Cast away your calf, O Samaria!" (Hos 8:5) He also addresses us. Hosea screams, "Cast away your TV and smartphones!" Some modern-day Jeroboams proclaim convenience and wealth. They have gradually shaped a culture which worships at the movies and the home entertainment center. They've relegated Sunday to a day of convenience rather than a day dedicated to worshiping God. These culture-destroyers produce TV programs, newspaper and magazine articles, and movies calculated to increase their own wealth rather than promote the glory of God and the good of humanity (Ez 34:2). Why do we follow them?

Jesus cast aside His own glory and humbled Himself out of love for us (Phil 2:7-8). "Cast away your calf" and labor for Jesus' harvest. In Jesus name, create a holy culture of life.

Prayer: Jesus, I cast my cares on you (1 Pt 5:7) and I cast out of my life anything that distracts me from You.

Promise: "When they sow the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind." —Hos 8:7

Praise: Charles not only worships on Sunday but brings the Eucharist to those who can't get to Mass.