Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": July 9

Readings

Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12 Israel is a vine whose fruit matches its growth. Their heart is false, now they pay for their guilt. The king of Samaria shall disappear. They shall cry out to the mountains, “Cover us!” Sow justice, reap the fruit of piety; break up a new field, for it's time to seek the Lord, till he rain justice on you.

Ps 105:2-7 "Seek always the face of the Lord." Look to the Lord; serve him constantly. Recall the wondrous deeds he wrought. He is our God; his judgments prevail.

Mt 10:1-7 Jesus gave his disciples authority over unclean spirits and to cure diseases. Their names: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. He sent them out: “Don't go into pagan territory or Samaritan towns but to the lost sheep of Israel. Proclaim: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Music

Rain down/ Cortez (sheet music sample) [I like the song except for the line "God's mercy falls on the just and the right"—what about the unjust and the wrong??] (1st reading)
Celestial watering/Savior, visit thy plantation/ Newton (Amazing Grace author) (1st reading)
Psalm 105: Oh, give thanks to the Lord/ Mui (sheet music)
Jesus, you once called disciples/ Gillette (gospel); note it works metrically with these tunes among others.

Reflections

One Bread One Body: As Jesus chose apostles, he commissions us to distribute the Word. We're to distribute food like Joseph, who fed the whole world. Jesus will teach and feed us, then send us to feed others with his Word, who will eventually feed others. We've been fed by the Word and Eucharist.

Passionist: In Luke, when Jesus began his ministry, he said Isaiah's prophecy was being fulfilled in him; in Matthew, the apostles will announce the Good News and show the power of the Kingdom. Until the Kingdom fully comes, we'll see those exhausted and torn apart and be among them, conforming to Jesus' Passion. We're privileged laborers, continuing the apostles' work, turning to the Lord for hope, joy, confidence, and strength.

DailyScripture.net: The core of the Gospel message is that God's kingdom is at hand. Jesus taught us in the Our Father to pray that God reign in our lives: your kingdom come; your will be done.... Jesus demonstrated the Gospel's power with signs and wonders and gave his disciples the same authority to heal and set free. If we believe, we'll know the freedom and power Jesus gives us to live as his disciples; if we know Jesus' love and mercy, we already have heaven in our hearts. Jesus chose ordinary people to do extraordinary work. When the Lord calls you, don't think you have little to offer; God will use you for greatness.