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Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 : Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
Israel is a luxuriant vine
whose fruit matches its growth.
The more abundant his fruit,
the more altars he built;
The more productive his land,
the more sacred pillars he set up.
Their heart is false,
now they pay for their guilt;
God shall break down their altars
and destroy their sacred pillars.
If they would say,
“We have no king”—
Since they do not fear the LORD,
what can the king do for them?
The king of Samaria shall disappear,
like foam upon the waters.
The high places of Aven shall be destroyed,
the sin of Israel;
thorns and thistles shall overgrow their altars.
Then they shall cry out to the mountains, “Cover us!”
and to the hills, “Fall upon us!”
“Sow for yourselves justice,
reap the fruit of piety;
break up for yourselves a new field,
for it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain down justice upon you.”
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. (4b) Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia : Mark 1:15
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand:
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel : Matthew 10:1-7
Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.
The names of the Twelve Apostles are these:
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 Thaddeus;
Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot
who betrayed Jesus.
Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
Message from the Readings
Today’s readings speak of returning to God with an undivided heart and embracing the mission He entrusts to us.
• Hosea warns that divided hearts lead to spiritual collapse — but God invites His people to return and sow righteousness.
• The psalm reminds us to remember God’s works and seek Him continually.
• Jesus sends His disciples with authority and purpose, calling them to announce God’s nearness.
The message is clear:
A heart rooted in God becomes a life ready for mission.
Reflection for the Day
Hosea paints a painful picture:
Israel prospered — and forgot God.
Their altars multiplied, but their hearts fractured.
Their worship became empty, their trust misplaced.
It’s a warning that prosperity without faith becomes a trap.
Comfort can dull our dependence on God.
Success can make us forget the One who gave it.
Yet Hosea ends with hope:
“Sow justice, reap the fruit of piety… seek the Lord.”
God is not looking to condemn but to restore.
The psalm then shifts our gaze:
Remember His wonders.
Remember His faithfulness.
Remember His covenant.
Memory is a spiritual discipline — it keeps the heart anchored in gratitude and trust.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls the Twelve by name.
Ordinary men.
Unqualified by worldly standards.
Yet chosen, empowered, and sent.
He gives them authority.
He gives them purpose.
He gives them a message:
“The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
This is not just their mission — it is ours.
But mission begins with the heart.
A divided heart cannot carry the Gospel.
A distracted heart cannot hear God’s call.
A surrendered heart becomes a vessel of grace.
Today’s readings invite you to three movements:
- Examine your heart for divided loyalties.
Where has comfort replaced trust? - Remember God’s faithfulness.
Let gratitude renew your devotion. - Embrace your mission.
You are called, empowered, and sent — just like the Twelve.
Let today be a day of renewed focus, renewed surrender, and renewed purpose.
Prayer for Today
Lord God,
heal the places in my heart that are divided.
Where I have trusted in myself,
turn me back to You.
Help me remember Your goodness,
Your faithfulness,
and Your constant love.
Like the apostles,
give me the courage to live my mission
and to proclaim Your Kingdom with my life.
Make my heart whole,
my faith strong,
and my steps obedient today.
Amen.
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