Tuesday – In the fourteenth week

Invitation

May I take this opportunity to draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?

This invitation aims to share with you the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s Word.

Available every day

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Consideration
Hosea is familiar with his sacred history: Egypt, the Exodus, Sinai, the desert and the Promised Land. He stands firmly within the tradition of the Covenant. This Covenant with Yahweh is a special relationship, but one between unequal partners. Yahweh is the suzerain, Israel the vassal. When Israel becomes unfaithful and turns to foreign gods, the vassal betrays his lord, and things are bound to go wrong. Psalm 115 mocks those gods made by human hands.

FIRST READING                  Hos . 8:4–7, 11–13
They sow the wind, but they shall reap the whirlwind.

From the Prophet Hosea

Thus says the Lord:
“The children of Israel have appointed kings,
but without Me;
they have chosen leaders for themselves,
but without my knowledge.
“From their silver and gold they have made idols,
fit only to be smashed to pieces.
“Take away your bull idol, Samaria!
“My wrath is kindled against them.
“How long will this go on?
“Are they not capable of innocence?
“Yes, that idol comes from Israel,
made there by a craftsman,
but it is no god.
“Yes, it shall be shattered,
that calf of Samaria!
“Yes, they sow the wind,
but they shall reap the whirlwind;
the stalks that bear no grain
yield no flour,
and even if they did,
strangers would devour it.
“Yes, Ephraim has multiplied his altars,
but they served only to sin,
altars for sinning!
“Even if I were to write down my law for him time and again,
it is as the law of a stranger to him.
“They offer sacrifices as they please
and eat the sacrificial meat,
but the Lord does not accept them.
“Now He remembers their guilt
and punishes their sins:
they shall return to Egypt!”

INTERLUDIUM                              Ps. 115(113B), 3–4, 5–6, 7–8, 9–10

The people of Israel trust in the Lord.

The God of Israel is in heaven,
He does as He pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold,
crafted by human hands.

They have a mouth but do not speak,
they have eyes but do not see;
they have ears but do not hear,
they have a nose but they do not smell.

They have hands but do not feel,
they have feet but do not walk,
no sound comes from their throats.
Just as foolish is the one who makes them,
and who now trusts in their power.

The people of Israel trust in the Lord,
He is their helper and shield.
The tribe of Aaron trusts in the Lord,
He is their helper and shield.

ALLELUIA                    Ps . 27(26), 11

Alleluia.
Show me your way, Lord, in times of adversity,
lead me along level paths.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL                    Mt . 9:32–38
The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.

From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
Matthew

At that time, a mute man was brought to Jesus,
who was possessed by the devil.
As soon as the devil had been cast out, the mute man began to speak.
The people said in amazement:
‘Never before has anything like this been seen in Israel.’
But the Pharisees said:
‘It is by the prince of demons that He is able to
cast out demons.’

Jesus went about through all the towns and villages,
where he taught in their synagogues
and proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom,
and healed every disease and sickness.
When he saw the crowds of people,
he was moved with compassion,
because they were exhausted and lying about,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples:
“The harvest is plentiful,
but the labourers are few.
“Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest
to send out labourers to gather the harvest.”

To be continued
Every morning at 1 am

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