BREAK UP FALLOW GROUND…

Hosea 10:1-3,7-8,12
1 Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased the more altars he built; as his country improved he improved his pillars.
2 Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars, and destroy their pillars.3 For now they will say: “We have no king, for we fear not the LORD, and a king, what could he do for us?”

7 Samaria’s king shall perish, like a chip on the face of the waters.8 The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed. Thorn and thistle shall grow up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us, and to the hills, Fall upon us.12 Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain salvation upon you.

Matthew 10:1-7

1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity.
2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.5 These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,
6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.7 And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

MEDITATION

HOSEA tell of the time when Israel enjoyed a prosperous agriculteral yield that saw the exponential growth, that allowed the king to enlarge the temple and add more altars to perform animal sacrifices. 

Because of the abundant prosperity there was a collapse of the values, obedience and commitment of the people. The King of Samaria received a timeous warning from Hosea, that they seek the Lord and sow for themselves righteousness. Should they fail to correct their ways, then whatever they have gained shall become an overgrown pestilent disease! 

St MATTHEW record that Christ ordered the twelve apostles to not attend to non Jewish or breakaway schismatic groups like the Samaritans, who worshipped gods other than Yahweh. Instead they are to first take the Good News to the once committed Hebrew people, who because of calamitous experiences have lost their way! 

Whilst it is important and nessesary that we evangelize the breakaway protesting believers who denounced the sacraments and the authority of the office of Peter, it will be remiss of us to not reach out to those who for whatever personal reasons have become idle or distracted from the faith. We are called to prioritize and seek out those who once did wonderful work, but find themselves on fallow ground. These are the ones who are ready to be reculivated in and through Christ Jesus in the Holy Sacraments. Don’t wait for the priest or deacon, you and I the laity are well suited to evangelize those who are lost!

LET US PRAY: Psalms 105:2-7 

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works!3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!4 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his presence continually!
5 Remember the wonderful works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!7 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.

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.