SHAKE OFF THE DUST…

Hosea 11:1-4,8-9
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and burning incense to idols.
3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one, who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.

8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim! How can I hand you over, O Israel! How can I make you like Admah! How can I treat you like Zeboiim! My heart recoils within me, my compassion grows warm and tender.9 I will not execute my fierce anger, I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come to destroy.

Matthew 10:7-15 

7 And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay.
9 Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts,10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food.

11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart.
12 As you enter the house, salute it.
13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.15 Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

MEDITATION

HOSEA THE PROPHET observed that inspite of Yahwehs benevolent compassionate love of His people when they were freed from their Egyption slave masters, they nevertheless went back to their old sinful ways. 

Yahweh wrestle with Himself—refusing  to give up His people—remaining commited to save them—from their slavelike afflictions and waywardness.

THE GOSPEL READING: The disciples of Christ are instructed to travel without any resources and reach out to those who are bodily and spiritually afflicted and needy. Moreover, they must not allow the irrations, restlessess or uncharity of their patients or their host to get the better of them. 

Since it was customary for a host to wash the feet of a visitor, the apostles are catechised to ‘shake the dust of their feet,’ which is not a retributive sign of anger or retaliation, but a humble, loving compassionate response, that is devoid from animus. We must follow the example of Christ, who without exception, washed the feet of the twelve, whilst being fully aware that most of them would abandone Him at the hour of darkness! 

LET US PRAY:Psalms 80:2-3,15-16

2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh! Stir up thy might, and come to save us!3 Restore us, O God; let thy face shine, that we may be saved!15 the stock which thy right hand planted.16 They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance!

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.