1st Reading Hosea 8:4-7,11-13
Psalm Ps. 115: 3-4.5-6.7ab and 8.9-10 (R. 9a)
Gospel Matthew 9:32-38
“They were like sheep without a shepherd”. This is a very striking statement made by Matthew in his attempt to describe the crowd and to stress Jesus' pity on them. Here are a group of people won to redemption by Christ's love but do not have enough people to show forth same love for them.
The first reading speaks of an attack on the existing religious and political institutions of Israel. They were rescued from Egypt and brought to their present location. They have soon forgotten God's redeeming work and have resorted to human leadership not endorsed by God.
These are people who, by their very disdainful acts, have portrayed to be without a shepherd, one who takes care of them. They seem to communicate a message of not showing regard for God, the only one who led them out of Egypt. Being grieved by their acts, Hosea speaks of God's plan to get them back to Egypt (v. 13).
In the Gospel, Jesus heals a dumb man and he is immediately accused by the Pharisees to have performed such an act by the prince of demons (v. 34). He never reacted.
He moves on to beseech his apostles to ask God to send labourers into his vineyard to harvest. What does this mean? This could be a plea for vocation. Jesus has won many to himself, ushering them into the kingdom. The problem resides in who takes care of these people Christ has already won. Not many people are ready to put themselves at the service of a redeemed people.
We pray for vocations today. We also pray for ourselves that we may not turn away from God's love but always acknowledge it.
Pax et Bonum
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