First reading Hosea 11:1-4,8-9
I am the Holy One in your midst and have no wish to destroy
Thus says the Lord:
When Israel was a child I loved him,
and I called my son out of Egypt.
But the more I called to them, the further they went from me;
they have offered sacrifice to the Baals
and set their offerings smoking before the idols.
I myself taught Ephraim to walk,
I took them in my arms;
yet they have not understood that I was the one looking after them.
I led them with reins of kindness,
with leading-strings of love.
I was like someone who lifts an infant close against his cheek;
stooping down to him I gave him his food.
Ephraim, how could I part with you?
Israel, how could I give you up?
How could I treat you like Admah,
or deal with you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils from it,
my whole being trembles at the thought.
I will not give rein to my fierce anger,
I will not destroy Ephraim again,
for I am God, not man:
I am the Holy One in your midst
and have no wish to destroy.
Responsorial Psalm 79(80):2-3,15-16
Let your face shine on us, O Lord, and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hear us,
shine forth from your cherubim throne.
O Lord, rouse up your might,
O Lord, come to our help.
God of hosts, turn again, we implore,
look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it,
the vine your right hand has planted.
Gospel Matthew 10:7-15
You received without charge: give without charge
Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.
‘Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his house, salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it; if it does not, let your peace come back to you. And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet. I tell you solemnly, on the day of Judgement it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom and Gomorrah as with that town.’
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The tender love of God
In the first reading, God says, “When Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt,…I myself taught Ephraim to walk; I took them in my arms, yet they have not understood that I was the one looking after them. I led them with reins of kindness, with leading-strings of love.” Such a tender picture of God’s love. He knows our story, including our moments of weakness and growth. He stoops down, carries us, and keeps loving us no matter what. Today, let us find comfort in His love that will never let us go.
In the Gospel, Jesus sends the disciples and us today to proclaim the Good News that the presence of God is near. We are called to bring healing and peace to each person and each household. However, we cannot share what we do not have. Therefore, we first need to experience God’s tender love and allow that love to pass through us, reaching others through our words, actions, and presence.
Reflective question:
How can I let the tender love of God shape the way I speak and act toward the people I am sent to?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
