Daily Readings for July 11, 2018

1st READING

Hosea knows that many Israelites believe the false promises of pagan gods – prosperity and wealth, power and fame, and others. He reminds the people that though they may enjoy material gain, it will be disastrous for them in the end because they entrusted their lives to false gods who will be unable to protect them.

Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12

1 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. 2 Their heart is false, now they pay for their guilt. God shall break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars. 3 If they would say, “We have no king” since they do not fear the Lord, what can the king do for them? 7 The king of Samaria shall disappear, like foam upon the waters. 8 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!” 12 “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 comes and rain down justice upon you.”

P S A L M 

Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: Seek always the face of the Lord.

2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! (R) 4 Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. 5 Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered. (R) 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R) 

GOSPEL 

Today is the feast of St. Benedict of Nursia, monk and abbot. He is the father of western monasticism. We owe to Benedict and his monks the institutions we have today such as schools, hospitals, and universities. The Irish Benedictine monks laid the foundations for European society and re- evangelized the continent after the Dark Ages by sending waves of missionaries to England, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Poland.

The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel. 

Matthew 10:1-7

1 Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 2 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; 3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; 4 Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. 5 Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”