Jesus sent these twelve on mission with the instruction: Go instead to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.

Gave them authority over the unclean spirits to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness.

The kingdom of David was split in two after Solomon took over.

In the south is the kingdom of Judah whose capital is Jerusalem.

The Northern Kingdom of Israel was composed of ten tribes and had their Capital later on in Samaria.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

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

Israel was a spreading vine,

 Sinners, Deep down, some of them long for a better life.

The tax collector Matthew, Jesus gives him reason to start anew, and follows Jesus.

He gets up and never looks back to his past sinful life.

The welcoming and bringing together of people, sinners or righteous,

is a joyous celebration in the kingdom.

And the reconciliation of individuals with their Maker is one thing to celebrate.

St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, priest

1st Reading: Amos 8:4-6, 9-12 

Hear this, you,

The dumb man in today's Gospel, His speech is restored when Jesus heals him. The crowd is astonished.

The Pharisees take offense and accuse Jesus of being in league with the prince of demons.

They are incapable of praising God for the miracle that happened right in front of them.

The wise king Solomon quips that the most fragrant perfume can be ruined by just a single dead fly.

The Pharisees tries to blot Jesus’ reputation by associating his work with that of the devil.

Jesus is sensitive and attentive to people’s deepest need and cry, He hears them and sees them in their suffering.

St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, & Companions, martyrs

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13

Without my approval

“YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.” God is love embodied in Jesus.

Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.

He proved His authority to forgive sins and magnify the glory of God in the physical healing.

 St. Elizabeth of Portugal, religious

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

 Amos 7:10-17

Amaziah, the priest of Bethel,

 Didn't he pass through many crowds, rubbing shoulders with them?

Weren’t there people who saw him pass by, but didn’t think much of him?

Perhaps there were many who smirked at the purpose of his travel.

Her faith was so great. it was enough that she got to touch the edge of his cloak, as he passed by.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊   

Hosea 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22

So I am going to allure her,

 Thomas, ever the realist.

It is natural that Thomas should doubt. He was not there when the Lord appeared.

He wants physical proof of Jesus coming back to life.

“Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God’”

This declaration of faith is unique.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Ephesians 2:19-22

Now you are no longer

 Jesus returned to his hometown. His town mates

They cannot believe that a family of carpenters can produce someone like him.

becomes a stumbling block to their faith in him.

Their own prejudices robbed them of the opportunity

to grow more in their knowledge of Jesus and of Jesus' authority.

May we let go of whatever hinders us to know Jesus more. 

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Ezekiel 2:2-5

A spirit came upon me

 But Jesus was asleep.

“Why are you so afraid, you of little faith?”

For, even in his sleep, he knows; even in his silence, he commands. We can rest assured.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12

Hear this word which

 In their culture, when Jesus and His disciples weren’t fasting frequently like the pious Pharisees,

anything less was considered unrighteous.

Jesus wants our minds and hearts to be like new wine skins -

open and ready to receive the new wine of the Holy Spirit.

Blessed Virgin Mary St. Maria Goretti, virgin & martyr

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Amos 9:11-15

On that day,

But when it comes to following the Lord, That’s how the first disciples followed him :

”immediately”,” leaving the boat and their father behind “.

These Verses Remind Us to Put God’s Will First

He does call every single one of us to live with unconditional trust in him.

St. Junipero Serra, pries

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Amos 2:6-10, 13-16

Yahweh says this,