ALTARS FOR SINNING…

Hosea 8:4-7,11-13,
4 They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but without my knowledge. With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction.5 I have spurned your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will it be till they are pure 6 in Israel? A workman made it; it is not God. The calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.
7 For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no heads, it shall yield no meal; if it were to yield, aliens would devour it.
11 Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they have become to him altars for sinning.
12 Were I to write for him my laws by ten thousands, they would be regarded as a strange thing.13 They love sacrifice; they sacrifice flesh and eat it; but the LORD has no delight in them. Now he will remember their iniquity, and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.

Matthew 9:32-38 

32 As they were going away, behold, a dumb demoniac was brought to him.
33 And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”
34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity.36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;38 pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

MEDITATION

THE PROPHET HOSEA Express how the elict appointments of kings and the worship of multiple man made altars and idols, have elicited and increased God’s anger because the people of Samaria’s lives were sinful. 

Hosea make the salient point that God does not approve the offering of sacrifices of the people, because of their immoral sinful lives. 

THE GOSPEL READING: The Pharisees dismissive attitude towards Christ reached a new level when they accused  Him of being possessed, when He cast out the demon from the dumb man! Notwithstanding the criticisms, our Lord continued to reach out; preach and heal the many infirm and helpless people who were open to receive His message of salvation.

Satan is forever targeting those who labor in God’s garden, tempting our physical and cognitive senses; our mind, eyes, mouth, hands and ears, to deceive and lure us to return to our old sinful ways! Believers who are in service of Christ and His Church are reminded to avoid Satan’s false propositions to use us, as altars for sin! We are called to be blameless by obeying the commands, to the extent that we can objectively know that we are in a state of grace. 

LET US PRAY: Psalms 115:3-10
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.8 Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them.9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.10 O house of Aaron, put your trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.