FIRST
READING: Hosea
8: 4 - 7, 11 - 13
4
Without my approval they set up kings and without my blessing
appointed leaders. With their silver and gold they fashioned idols to
their own ruin.
5
To me, Samaria, your calf is loathsome and my anger blazes against
you. How long will you remain defiled?
6
The calf is yours, Israel, a craftsman has made it; it is not God and
will be broken into pieces.
7
As they sow the wind, they will reap the whirlwind. Like the erect
ear of corn they will bear no grain and produce no flour, or if they
do, foreigners will devour it.
11
Ephraim built many altars but his altars made him more guilty.
12
I wrote out for him the numerous precepts of my Law, but they look on
them as coming from foreigners.
13
They offer sacrifices to me because they are those who eat the meat,
but Yahweh does not accept their sacrifices for he is mindful of
their sin and remembers their wickedness. They will return to Egypt.
PSALM:
Psalms 115:
3 - 10
3
There in heaven is our God; whatever he wishes, he does.
4
Not so the hand-made idols, crafted in silver and gold.
5
They have mouths that cannot speak, eyes that cannot see,
6
ears that cannot hear, noses that cannot smell.
7
They have hands but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk; neither can
they make a sound in their throat.
8
Their makers will be like them, so will all who trust in them.
9
O Israel, trust in the Lord; he is your help and your shield!
10
You, family of Aaron, trust in the Lord; he is your help and your
shield!
GOSPEL:
Matthew 9:
32 - 38
32
When they had just left, some people brought to Jesus a man who was
dumb because he was possessed by a demon.
33
When the demon was driven out, the dumb man began to speak. The
crowds were astonished and said, "Nothing like this has ever
been seen in Israel." (
34
But the Pharisees said, "He drives away demons with the help of
the prince of demons.")
35
Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their
synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, and he cured
every sickness and disease.
36
When he saw the crowds he was moved with pity, for they were harassed
and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.
37
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the
workers are only few.
38
Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest."
