Turning to God as a friend is a transformative shift.

You can listen for His guidance by reading the Bible

and reflecting on how His teachings apply to your life.

you can draw closer to God by participating in His mission—

such as showing kindness to others and acting with compassion. 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

1st Reading: Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12

Israel was a spreading vine,

Rich in fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built;

the more his land prospered, the more he adorned his sacred stones.

Their heart is divided! They shall pay for it.

Their altars will be thrown down and their sacred stones broken to pieces.

Now they say, "We have no king (because we have no fear of God)

and what good would a king do us?"

 

As for the king of Samaria, he has been carried off like foam on water.

The idolatrous high places – the sin of Israel – will be destroyed.

Thorn and thistle will creep over the altars.

Then they will say to the mountains: "Cover us," and to the hills: "Fall on us."

Plow new ground, sow for yourselves justice and reap the harvest of kindness.

It is the time to go seeking Yahweh, until he comes to rain salvation on you.

 

Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

Seek always the face of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Matthew 10:1-7

Jesus called his Twelve disciples to him, and gave them authority over unclean spirits,

to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness. 

These are the names of the Twelve apostles; first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew;

James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew;

Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

 

Simon, the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, the man who would betray him.

Jesus sent these Twelve on mission, with the instructions:

"Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town.

Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.

Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

He knows them well.

Most of us cannot remember our baptism, as many were baptized when we were still babies.

Only pictures can attest to this joyous event in our lives.

The priest pours water on the baby's head during the baptism,

and we are also given our baptismal name. Names signify our identity and uniqueness.

They are sacred because they represent the person in their entirety.

When someone calls another by name, it indicates a deep connection between them.

 

When Jesus calls his disciples by name, it conveys more than just familiarity.

His calling them by name signifies that He knows them well

and has established a close relationship with them.

The disciples are not merely coworkers in ministry;

 

they have become Jesus' companions and friends in God's work.

This highlights the core message of the Gospel: God desires to establish a close relationship with us.

He sees us as more than just coworkers; we are friends and companions in His vast field of work.

May we turn to God and recognize Him as a friend as well.