FIRST READING
“We will say no more, ’Our God, ‘ to the work of our hands.”
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Hosea (Hosea 14:1-9)
Thus says the Lord: Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept that which is good and we will render the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride upon horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.” I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be as the dew to Israel; he shall blossom as the lily, he shall strike root as the poplar, his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow, they shall flourish as a garden; they shall blossom as the vine, their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon. O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress, from me comes your fruit. Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 51:3-4.8-9.12-13.14 and 17 (R. 17b)
R/. My mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your merciful love;
according to your great compassion,
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me completely from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin. R/.
Yes, you delight in sincerity of heart;
in secret you teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be pure;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. R/.
R/. My mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Create a pure heart for me, O God;
renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence;
take not your holy spirit from me. R/.
Restore in me the joy of your salvation;
sustain in me a willing spirit.
O Lord, open my lips
And my mouth shall proclaim your praise. R/.
ALLELUIA John 16:13a; 14:26d
Alleluia. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mqatthew 10: 16-23)
At that time: Jesus said to his apostles, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Jesus warns his disciples of the dangers inherent in their mission to the world. They will sometimes encounter wolves in sheep’s clothing, but they should not be discouraged. They should be wise in dealing with the challenges of their mission, though with a gentle disposition. They should persevere in the face of persecution, betrayal, trials and tribulations of all sorts. Above all, they should put their trust in God and rely on the grace of the Holy Spirit who is the unfailing companion of all missionaries.