Proclaiming the Kingdom and Trusting in God’s Love

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of Saint Benedict, a towering figure in Christian monasticism known for his profound influence on Western Christianity through the Rule of Saint Benedict, we delve into the heart of our faith with the readings from Hosea, Psalms, and the Gospel of Matthew. Each reading invites us to reflect deeply on God’s unyielding love, the call for divine restoration, and the urgency of our mission to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven.

In the first reading, Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9, we witness God’s tender love for Israel, depicted as a father caring for his child, despite Israel’s recurring infidelity. This powerful narrative of divine compassion sets the stage for understanding our relationship with God.

The Responsorial Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16 echoes a communal cry for restoration and divine intervention, resonating with our need for God’s saving power and shining presence in times of distress.

In the Gospel of Matthew 10:7-15, Jesus commissions His apostles, emphasizing the simplicity and urgency of their mission to proclaim the Kingdom, perform acts of healing and mercy, and trust wholly in God’s provision.

As we reflect on these readings today, inspired by the life and teachings of Saint Benedict, let us embrace our call to live out our faith with trust, simplicity, and a fervent dedication to God’s mission.

First Reading: Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9

A Father’s Love

The Book of Hosea, one of the twelve minor prophets, is a profound narrative of divine love juxtaposed with human infidelity. Hosea’s life and prophetic ministry in the 8th century BCE unfold during a time of significant political instability and religious apostasy in the northern kingdom of Israel. This passage from Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9, speaks of God’s unwavering love and compassion for Israel, despite their persistent rebellion and idolatry.

Hosea 11: 1-4, 8-9 – New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

God’s Compassion Despite Israel’s Ingratitude

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 offering 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 human kindness,
    with bands of love.
I was to them like those
    who lift infants to their cheeks.
    I bent down to them and fed them.

Exegesis of Hosea 11: 1-4, 8-9

Verse 1: A Love from the Beginning

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”

God begins by recalling the early relationship with Israel, likening the nation to a beloved child. This reference to calling Israel out of Egypt is a direct nod to the Exodus, a pivotal moment in Israelite history where God liberated His people from slavery (Exodus 4:22-23). This verse also prefigures the New Testament, where Matthew cites it in reference to Jesus’ escape to Egypt (Matthew 2:15), highlighting a continuity in God’s salvific plan.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 219) teaches that “God’s love for Israel is compared to a father’s love for his son.” This fatherly love is foundational, emphasizing that our relationship with God begins with His initiative of love and liberation.

Verse 2: The Pain of Rejection

“The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols.”

Despite God’s persistent calling, Israel repeatedly turns to false gods, sacrificing to Baals and engaging in idolatry. This spiritual adultery breaks God’s heart, akin to a parent witnessing their child choosing harmful paths.

Saint Augustine, in his Confessions (Book II), reflects on the pain of turning away from God, describing sin as a disordered love that leads us away from our true happiness. The Ignatian Bible notes further emphasize this by reminding us of the importance of discernment and staying true to our fundamental calling from God.

Verse 3: A Tender Care Unrecognized

“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.”

God’s care is portrayed in the most tender terms, teaching Ephraim (another name for Israel) to walk and carrying them in His arms. Despite this intimate care, Israel fails to recognize God’s healing and providence.

Saint John Chrysostom, in his homilies, often spoke of God’s paternal care, comparing it to a father teaching his child to walk—an image of intimate guidance and support. This verse challenges us to recognize and be grateful for God’s often unnoticed presence and healing in our lives.

Verse 4: Leading with Love

“I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.”

God’s leadership is not coercive but characterized by “cords of human kindness” and “bands of love.” The imagery of lifting infants to cheeks and bending down to feed them conveys a deep, nurturing love.

The Catechism (CCC 221) states, “God’s parental tenderness can be expressed by the image of motherhood, which emphasizes God’s immanence, the intimacy between Creator and creature.” This nurturing love invites us to trust in God’s gentle guidance and care.

Verse 8: The Struggle of Divine Compassion

“How can I give you up, 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.”

God’s internal struggle is palpable—His justice demands accountability, yet His compassion overflows. Admah and Zeboiim, cities destroyed alongside Sodom and Gomorrah (Deuteronomy 29:23), symbolize the potential fate from which God spares Israel out of love.

Saint Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica (I, Q. 20, Art. 1), explains that God’s love is fundamentally merciful, seeking the good of the beloved. This verse reveals the depth of God’s compassionate heart, constantly seeking to save rather than condemn.

Verse 9: Divine Mercy Over Wrath

“I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.”

God’s decision to withhold His fierce anger underscores His divine nature—He is not driven by human emotions but by holy and perfect love. God’s mercy triumphs over judgment, showcasing His patience and desire for repentance.

The Catechism (CCC 211) reminds us that “God reveals that He is rich in mercy” through His interactions with Israel. This verse encourages us to trust in God’s mercy and strive to embody His love and forgiveness in our relationships.

Reflection: Recognizing and Embracing God’s Love

Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 invites us to reflect on the depth of God’s love and compassion. Despite our failures and tendencies to stray, God continues to call, heal, and guide us with unparalleled tenderness. As we recognize God’s fatherly love, let us respond with gratitude, repentance, and a renewed commitment to follow His ways.

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Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 80: 2-3, 15-16

Seeking Restoration

Psalm 80 is a communal lament, a heartfelt plea for God’s intervention and restoration. Attributed to Asaph, one of King David’s chief musicians, this psalm resonates with a nation in distress, calling out to God for deliverance. The historical backdrop likely involves a period of crisis or invasion, where the northern tribes, including Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, face devastation. As we explore Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, we uncover a profound expression of trust and hope in God’s saving power.

Psalm 80: 2-3, 15-16 – New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

²     before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
    and come to save us!

³ Restore us, O God;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

¹⁵     the stock that your right hand planted.
¹⁶ They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down;
    may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance.

Exegesis of Psalm 80: 2-3, 15-16

Verse 2: A Call for Divine Intervention

“Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!”

The mention of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh highlights the plea from the northern tribes of Israel. They invoke God’s might, calling on Him to “stir up” His power and save them. This plea reflects a deep reliance on God’s ability to deliver His people from their plight.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2090) emphasizes that hope is the confident expectation of divine blessing and the beatific vision of God. This verse encapsulates that hope, urging believers to call upon God’s strength in times of need. Saint Augustine, in his Confessions (Book I), often expressed such heartfelt appeals to God, recognizing that true help and salvation come from Him alone.

Verse 3: A Prayer for Restoration

“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”

This verse is a plea for restoration and salvation, invoking the imagery of God’s face shining upon His people. The shining face of God is a powerful biblical metaphor for His favor and presence (Numbers 6:25-26). The psalmist understands that only through God’s favor can true restoration and salvation occur.

Saint Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica (II-II, Q. 17, Art. 5), explains that to hope in God is to look towards Him for the fulfillment of all good things. This verse invites us to seek God’s presence actively, understanding that His favor brings the ultimate restoration we seek.

Verse 15: A Plea for Divine Attention

“The stock that your right hand planted.”

This verse refers to Israel as the vine that God’s right hand has planted, an image that signifies God’s care and chosen relationship with His people (Psalm 80:8). By invoking this imagery, the psalmist reminds God of His covenantal promises and the special relationship He has with Israel.

The Ignatian Bible notes highlight the importance of recalling God’s past acts as a foundation for current faith and hope. Remembering that we are the work of God’s hands strengthens our plea for His continued care and intervention.

Verse 16: The Cry for Justice

“They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance.”

This verse describes the destruction wrought by enemies and appeals to God’s justice. The psalmist calls for the enemies to face the rebuke of God’s countenance, a request for divine justice against those who have ravaged the chosen vine.

Saint John Chrysostom, in his homilies, often spoke of the balance between God’s mercy and justice. This verse reflects that balance, acknowledging the need for divine intervention to restore righteousness and order.

Reflection: Trusting in God’s Power and Presence

Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16 is a poignant reminder of our dependence on God’s power and presence. It calls us to hope in God’s ability to restore and save, to seek His shining face for favor and guidance, and to trust in His justice. As we navigate our own challenges, this psalm encourages us to call upon God with confidence, remembering His past faithfulness and trusting in His unfailing love.

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Holy Gospel – Matthew 10:7-15

Proclaiming the Kingdom

The Gospel of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and emphasizes His teachings. In Matthew 10, we see Jesus commissioning His twelve apostles, sending them out with specific instructions for their mission. This passage, Matthew 10:7-15, outlines the message they are to proclaim and the manner in which they should conduct themselves. It serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency and simplicity of the apostolic mission.

Matthew 10: 7-15 – New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

⁷ As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. ⁹ Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, ¹⁰ no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. ¹¹ Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. ¹² As you enter the house, greet it. ¹³ If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Exegesis of Matthew 10: 7-15

Verse 7: Proclaiming the Kingdom

“As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’”

Jesus instructs His apostles to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. This message is central to Jesus’ ministry and signifies the in-breaking of God’s rule and reign on earth. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2816) teaches that “the Kingdom of Heaven was inaugurated by Christ’s coming,” and this proclamation invites all to enter into this divine reality.

Saint Augustine, in his work The City of God (Book XX), elaborates on the Kingdom of Heaven as both a present reality and a future hope. This dual aspect of the Kingdom calls us to live in a way that reflects God’s reign here and now while anticipating its full realization.

Verse 8: Acts of Healing and Mercy

“Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.”

The apostles are given authority to perform miraculous deeds—healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, and casting out demons. These acts of mercy are tangible signs of the Kingdom’s presence. They demonstrate God’s power and compassion, underscoring the transformative impact of the Gospel.

The Catechism (CCC 1503) emphasizes that “Christ’s compassion toward the sick and his many healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that ‘God has visited his people.’” Saint Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica (II-II, Q. 188, Art. 6), highlights the importance of gratuitous service, reminding us that the apostles received freely from Christ and thus should give freely to others.

Verses 9-10: Radical Dependence on God

“Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food.”

Jesus instructs the apostles to travel light, carrying no money or extra provisions. This directive fosters radical dependence on God’s providence and the hospitality of those they encounter. It teaches the apostles to trust in God and the generosity of others.

Saint Francis of Assisi embraced this teaching literally, living a life of radical poverty and dependence on God. His example, echoed in the teachings of the Church (CCC 2443), calls us to live simply and trust in God’s provision, focusing on our mission rather than material security.

Verses 11-13: Discerning Worthiness and Bestowing Peace

“Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.”

Jesus advises the apostles to seek out those who are receptive to their message and to offer their peace. The concept of worthiness here refers to openness to the Gospel. This instruction highlights the importance of discernment in ministry and the value of peace as a gift.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, in his Spiritual Exercises, emphasizes the practice of discernment, encouraging us to seek out and nurture environments where the Gospel can take root. The Catechism (CCC 2304) further teaches that peace is “the tranquility of order” and a fruit of justice and love, underscoring its significance in the mission of the Church.

Verses 14-15: Shaking Off the Dust

“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”

Jesus instructs the apostles to shake off the dust from their feet if they are not welcomed or listened to, symbolizing a formal separation from those who reject the Gospel. This act signifies the seriousness of rejecting God’s message and serves as a prophetic warning.

The Ignatian Bible annotations highlight this as a call to perseverance in the face of rejection, encouraging us to continue our mission despite obstacles. Saint John Chrysostom, in his homilies, emphasizes the importance of not being discouraged by rejection but remaining steadfast in proclaiming the Gospel.

Reflection: Embracing the Mission Today

Matthew 10:7-15 challenges us to embrace our mission with urgency, simplicity, and trust in God. It calls us to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven, perform acts of mercy, live dependently on God’s provision, discern where our efforts are fruitful, and persevere despite rejection. As we reflect on this passage, let us consider how we can embody these principles in our daily lives.

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Living Out the Call: Embracing Divine Love and Mission

Today’s reflections from Hosea, Psalm 80, and the Gospel of Matthew, coupled with the inspiration from the Feast of Saint Benedict, call us to a deeper, more authentic faith journey. Hosea reminds us of God’s unwavering love and tender care despite our infidelities, while Psalm 80 is a heartfelt plea for God’s restorative power and presence. The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes the urgency and simplicity of our mission to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven, relying wholly on God’s provision and grace.

As we honor Saint Benedict, whose rule emphasizes prayer, work, and community, let us strive to integrate these principles into our lives. Embrace the call to live simply, trust fully in God’s providence, and share His love and mercy with those around us. Let the readings inspire us to deepen our faith and draw closer to God, embodying His compassion and dedication in all we do.

Engage With Us!

Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comments below:

• How can you better recognize God’s unnoticed presence and care in your life as described in Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9?
• What steps can you take to call upon God’s restorative power and shine His face in your daily life, inspired by Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16?
• How do you embrace your role in proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven and living dependently on God’s provision, as instructed in Matthew 10:7-15?

Let us support each other in our faith journey, encouraging one another to live out our calling with love and trust in God’s providential care, just as our Lord Jesus did. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and reflections on living a faith-filled life.