Proper Gratitude
Jul 10: Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
God has plans that we may not1 understand as we’re living them. The best we can do is try to do what we know is right, be thankful for what we have, and have faith that God will take care of the rest.
Reading 1
Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
Israel is a luxuriant vine whose fruit matches its growth. The more abundant his fruit, the more altars he built; The more productive his land, the more sacred pillars he set up. Their heart is false, now they pay for their guilt; God shall break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars. If they would say, “We have no king”—Since they do not fear the LORD, what can the king do for them?
The king of Samaria shall disappear, like foam upon the waters. The high places of Aven shall be destroyed, the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles shall overgrow their altars. Then they shall cry out to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall upon us!”
“Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain down justice upon you.”
The people of Israel have been directing their gratitude in the wrong direction. Rather than thanking God for a good harvest, they’ve built pillars in honor of Baal. The kings have been paying homage to the Samarian king, rather than the Lord.
Hosea tells them that these false idols, even the king of Samaria, are temporary. The same is true of our own false idols and leaders today. We should focus on justice and piety, rather than impermanent things.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. (4b) Seek always the face of the Lord.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
This is a song of praise aimed in the right direction. Remember what God has done for us and our ancestors.
Alleluia
Mk 1:15
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand:
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We need to repent to fully participate in the Kingdom, just like Joseph’s brothers have to apologize for enslaving him before they can be truly rescued.
Gospel
Mt 10:1-7
Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.
Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, "Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"
The Good News was intended to be spread in stages. From Abraham to Joseph, Jesus’ foster father, the Hebrews were preparing to bring Jesus into the world. While He was with us in time, He intended to spread the Gospel among the Jews, first.
Only after His death and resurrection did Jesus plan on His apostles going out into the wider world. The Kingdom of Heaven itself is coming in stages, and only at the Second Coming will it fully be realized.
Probably not.