Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The readings today challenge us to look deeply at the integrity of our hearts. We are called to recognize what motivates us to action and to purify this drive when it is not rooted in the Lord. Ultimately, our own openness to God’s ability to till, cultivate and purify the goodness of our hearts will allow us to be sent forth to be disciples.
The first reading today is from the book of Hosea. Hosea’s prophetic message was profoundly influenced by his personal story. Hosea’s adulteress wife, Gomer, symbolized the faithlessness of Israel. On the surface, the people of Israel looked put together and on track. But the Lord and the prophet knew otherwise. Many in Israel had consecrated themselves to the pagan god, Baal, who was worshiped in nearby countries. In today’s reading, Hosea is chastising the people of Israel for their idolatry. He is prophesying their impending punishment. The imagery Hosea portrays is of retribution so harsh that the people will wish they were dead. His message is one of complete despair as he challenges the people of Israel to start again. “Break up for yourself a new field, for it is time to seek the Lord.” (Hos 10:12b) Hosea’s words issue a summons to the house of Israel to return to the Lord.
Today’s gospel from Matthew has Jesus summoning the Twelve Apostles to give them “authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.” (Mt 10:1b). This passage is the only place the word “apostle” is used in the Gospel of Matthew. The word apostle means ‘one who is sent.’ After Jesus bestows authority on the twelve, he sends them forth to bring healing to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The last line of the gospel reminds us of the deeper message they were sent to carry forth. As they went, they were to proclaim, “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt 10:7) The apostle’s two-fold mission was a direct reflection of Jesus’ earthly ministry. As radical disciples, it is our ministry as well. We are called to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.
As we go about our day, let us reflect upon the ways God is calling us to dispense with that which is false in our heart. There may be serious changes needed in order for us to return our whole heart to the Lord. What we need to be aware of is that our loving and merciful Lord wants our whole heart unencumbered by false piety or divided loyalties. We form our heart best when we seek the face of the Lord always. To that end, we are sent into the world daily to see Christ and serve him in the faces of all we encounter.
- Michael Montgomery