tendency to turn laws and authority into absolutes. Who is our God?
First Reading: Hos 8:4-7, 11-13
Thus says the LORD:They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority;they established princes, but without my approval.With their silver and gold they madeidols for themselves, to their own destruction.Cast away your calf, O Samaria!my wrath is kindled against them;How long will they be unable to attaininnocence in Israel?
The work of an artisan,no god at all,Destined for the flames—such is the calf of Samaria!When they sow the wind,they shall reap the whirlwind;The stalk of grain that forms no earcan yield no flour;Even if it could,strangers would swallow it.When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin,his altars became occasions of sin.Though I write for him my many ordinances,they are considered as a stranger’s.Though they offer sacrifice,immolate flesh and eat it,the LORD is not pleased with them.He shall still remember their guiltand punish their sins;they shall return to Egypt.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 115:3-4,5-6,7-8,9-10
R./ The house of Israel trusts in the Lord. or: Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R./ The house of Israel trusts in the Lord. or: Alleluia.
They have mouths but speak not;
they have eyes but see not;
They have ears but hear not;
they have noses but smell not.
R./ The house of Israel trusts in the Lord. or: Alleluia.
They have hands but feel not;
they have feet but walk not.
Their makers shall be like them,
everyone that trusts in them.
R./ The house of Israel trusts in the Lord. or: Alleluia.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:32-38
Some people brought to Jesus a man who was dumb because he was possessed by a demon. 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." (But the Pharisees said, "He drives away demons with the help of the prince of demons.")
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. When he saw the crowds he was moved with pity, for they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest."
