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Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13, Psalm 115, Matthew 9:32-38
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/070808.shtml
AN ALL-STAR CAST
"Cast away your calf, O Samaria!" —Hosea 8:5
After Solomon's death, Jeroboam seized control of the ten northern tribes
of Israel. He knew his subjects would go south to worship in Jerusalem,
thus eroding his power base and personal safety (1 Kgs 12:26-27). So
Jeroboam sold out in order to keep himself rolling in power and money. He
set aside truth and set up a new religion and culture. He built two golden
calves (1 Kgs 12:28; see Ex 32:8), which were nothing less than idols, and
told the people that the shrines of these calves were the "in" places to
worship God. He relieved them of the "obligation" to travel to Jerusalem,
making worship convenient and cheaper. The people were focused on
convenience and money, not true worship of God. So they swallowed
Jeroboam's scheme hook, line, and sinker.
Hosea addresses the idolatrous northern tribes of Israel in proclaiming,
"Cast away your calf, O Samaria!" (Hos 8:5) He also addresses us. Hosea
screams, "Cast away your TV sets, O people!" Some modern-day Jeroboams
proclaim convenience and wealth. They have gradually shaped a culture
which worships at the movies and the home entertainment center. They've
relegated Sunday to a day of convenience rather than a day dedicated to
worshiping God. These culture-destroyers produce TV programs, newspaper
and magazine articles, and movies calculated to increase their own wealth
rather than promote the glory of God and the good of humanity (Ez 34:2).
Why do we follow them?
Jesus cast aside His own glory and humbled Himself out of love for us
(Phil 2:7-8). "Cast away your calf" and labor for Jesus' harvest. In Jesus
name, create a holy culture of life.
Prayer: Jesus, I cast my cares on you (1 Pt 5:7) and I cast out of my life
anything that distracts me from You.
Promise: "When they sow the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind." —Hos 8:7
Praise: Charles not only worships on Sunday but brings the Eucharist to
those who can't get to church.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from June
1, 2008 through July 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, January 4, 2008
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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