In spite of our obstinacy, sinfulness and errant ways we are still very much loved by God our Heavenly Father. So loved are we, that He sent His only begotten Son to save us and draw us back unto Him.
Today Jesus sends us all out on mission. To win back hearts that have wandered far from Him. To bring His peace, love and joy back into their lives. To win back souls heading for destruction by their willful, sinful choices! Do we stand ready to go out in faith dependent only on the Holy Spirit? Are we ready to face rejection for love of Him? Are we ready to receive nothing in return, no recognition, fame or personal glory? Are we then ready to say to Jesus with all our hearts, “Here I am Lord send me!”
Here I am Lord, I come to do Your Will. Be with me now and forever. Amen
First reading
Hosea 11:1-4,8-9 ·
I am the Holy One in your midst and have no wish to destroy
Thus says the Lord:
When Israel was a child I loved him,
and I called my son out of Egypt.
But the more I called to them, the further they went from me;
they have offered sacrifice to the Baals
and set their offerings smoking before the idols.
I myself taught Ephraim to walk,
I took them in my arms;
yet they have not understood that I was the one looking after them.
I led them with reins of kindness,
with leading-strings of love.
I was like someone who lifts an infant close against his cheek;
stooping down to him I gave him his food.
Ephraim, how could I part with you?
Israel, how could I give you up?
How could I treat you like Admah,
or deal with you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils from it,
my whole being trembles at the thought.
I will not give rein to my fierce anger,
I will not destroy Ephraim again,
for I am God, not man:
I am the Holy One in your midst
and have no wish to destroy.
Gospel
Matthew 10:7-15
You received without charge: give without charge
Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.
‘Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his house, salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it; if it does not, let your peace come back to you. And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet. I tell you solemnly, on the day of Judgement it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom and Gomorrah as with that town.’
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