1ST READING
Hosea is a prophet who speaks eloquently of the love of God, perhaps more so than any other book of the Old Testament except the Song of Songs. He redefines God’s relationship with His people as a relationship of love. Before it is anything else, God’s relationship with us is one of love and mercy. This is a new idea for Israel. Their focus has been on laws and covenants and the consequences of breaking them. Hosea invites us to look at God from a different perspective.
Hosea 2:16, 17-18, 21-22
16 Thus says the Lord: I will allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart. 17 She shall respond there as in the days of her youth, when she came up from the land of Egypt. 18 On that day, says the Lord, She shall call me “My husband,” and never again “My baal.” 21 I will espouse you to me forever: I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy; 22 I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the Lord.
P S A L M
Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R: The Lord is gracious and merciful.
2 Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. (R) 4 Generation after generation praises your works and proclaims your might. 5 They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty and tell of your wondrous works. (R) 6 They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds and declare your greatness. 7 They publish the fame of your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your justice. (R) 8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. 9 The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. (R)
GOSPEL
The official has heard of the power of Jesus to heal and has come in person to ask for Jesus’ help. This is how serious he is. He does not send a slave or servant — he comes in person. Jesus recognizes in the official’s action the depth of his love for his child and so grants mercy on the official and heals the child. How committed are we to asking Jesus into our lives?
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.
Matthew 9:18-26
18 While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” 22 Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. 23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. 25 When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. 26 And news of this spread throughout all that land.
think: God’s relationship with us is one of love and mercy.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Chronicles 22-24
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