Reading 1
Hos 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22
Thus says the LORD:
I will allure her;
I will lead her into the desert
and speak to her heart.
She shall respond there as in the days of her youth,
when she came up from the land of Egypt.
On that day, says the LORD,
She shall call me "My husband,"
and never again "My baal."
I will espouse you to me forever:
I will espouse you in right and in justice,
in love and in mercy;
I will espouse you in fidelity,
and you shall know the LORD.
Gospel
Mt 9:18-26
While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,
knelt down before him, and said,
"My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live."
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured."
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
"Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you."
And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official's house
and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,
he said, "Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping."
And they ridiculed him.
When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.
Meditation: Hosea 2:16-18,21-22
I will espouse you to me forever. (Hosea 2:21)
What beautiful—even romantic—words the Lord spoke to Israel! He will “allure her” and “speak to her heart”; he will espouse her “in love and in mercy” (Hosea 2:16,21). This has always been God’s promise and desire for his people. In fact, we can trace this deep desire of the Lord’s throughout both the Old and New Testaments. It is the reason behind everything he has ever done for Israel and for his church. It’s hard to believe at times, but God considers us his most precious possession. And when we gather as a people, as his bride the church, he is especially moved with love for us.
Wouldn’t it be great if the story ended happily ever after right here? But while Jesus has given himself wholly out of love for his church, the church has not always responded in holiness and fidelity. Even today, we see apathy among believers leading to empty pews on Sunday. We see infighting and divided parish councils.
This may be what we see, but it isn’t how God sees things. In his goodness, he sees the beauty of every person, and his heart overflows with love for each one. He looks beyond our individual and corporate flaws and sees the potential that each of us holds. He is patient, for he knows that the church is meant to gather “sinners already caught up in Christ’s salvation but still on the way to holiness” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 827). Don’t be mistaken. He knows exactly who we are right now. But he also sees who he has created us to be—who we can become. He sees both the reality and the hope, and that combination stirs his heart.
Brothers and sisters, Jesus has promised to espouse us in love and in mercy forever. So let’s rejoice in his love. Let’s also take on God’s merciful view of the church instead of focusing on our flaws. Let’s focus on the beauty that is in the church and the beauty of God’s good creation that is all around us. We can still be a sign of hope to the world, celebrating God’s faithfulness and unending love!
“Lord, you have won my heart with your tender love. Thank you for making me part of your church—your beloved bride and the object of your affection. I am yours forever!”
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