Daily Mass Readings – Wednesday, 12 July 2028

1 Israel a vine full of branches, the fruit is agreeable to it: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath multiplied altars, according to the plenty of his land he hath abounded with idols.

2 Their heart is divided: now they shall perish: he shall break down their idols, he shall destroy their altars.

3 For now they shall say: We have no king: because we fear not the Lord: and what shall a king do to us?

7 Samaria hath made her king to pass as froth upon the face of the water.

8 And the high places of the idol, the sin of Israel shall be destroyed: the bur and the thistle shall grow up over their altars: and they shall say to the mountains: Cover us; and to the hills: Fall upon us.

12 Sow for yourselves in justice, and reap in the mouth of mercy, break up your fallow ground: but the time to seek the Lord is, when he shall come that shall teach you justice.

R. (4b) Seek always the face of the Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

2 Sing to him, yea sing praises to him: relate all his wondrous works.

3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

R. Seek always the face of the Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

4 Seek ye the Lord, and be strengthened: seek his face evermore.

5 Remember his marvellous works which he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.

R. Seek always the face of the Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant; ye sons of Jacob his chosen.

7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

R. Seek always the face of the Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

15 The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities.

2 And the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother,

3 James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus,

4 Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles, and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye not.

6 But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The image of Israel as a fruitful vine becomes a warning when abundance leads to more altars and a divided heart. A life can appear full while its love is scattered among many false securities. God does not leave his people in that condition. He calls them to break up the hardened ground, to sow justice, and to seek him while he comes to teach them his ways. The psalm gives the steady direction: seek always the face of the Lord and remember his wondrous works.

That call becomes urgent in the Gospel, where Jesus announces that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand and sends the Twelve to the lost sheep of Israel. Their mission begins with repentance and leads to healing. Even the list includes Judas, who would betray Jesus; the work belongs first to Christ, who gives authority and sends his chosen servants. We need not wait until our hearts are perfectly ordered before turning toward God. We can begin by naming the loyalties that divide us, returning to the Lord’s mercy, and allowing our renewed lives to become a quiet proclamation that his Kingdom is near.

Lord God, gather my divided heart and turn it again toward your face. Give me courage to uproot whatever becomes an idol in my life, and teach me to sow justice through my words, choices, and care for others. Keep alive in me the memory of your faithfulness, so that repentance will not be discouraged by shame. Jesus, King of heaven, make me ready to receive your healing and to serve those who are lost. Send your Spirit to make my life a truthful sign that your Kingdom is near. Amen.