Reading 1
Hos 11:1-4, 8c-9
Thus says the LORD:
When Israel was a child I loved him,
out of Egypt I called my son.
The more I called them,
the farther they went from me,
Sacrificing to the Baals
and burning incense to idols.
Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
who took them in my arms;
I drew them with human cords,
with bands of love;
I fostered them like one
who raises an infant to his cheeks;
Yet, though I stooped to feed my child,
they did not know that I was their healer.
My heart is overwhelmed,
my pity is stirred.
I will not give vent to my blazing anger,
I will not destroy Ephraim again;
For I am God and not man,
the Holy One present among you;
I will not let the flames consume you.
Gospel
Mt 10:7-15
Jesus said to his Apostles:
"As you go, make this proclamation:
'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;
no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,
or sandals, or walking stick.
The laborer deserves his keep.
Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,
and stay there until you leave.
As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy,
let your peace come upon it;
if not, let your peace return to you.
Whoever will not receive you or listen to your wordsC
go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment
than for that town."
Meditation: Hosea 11:1-4,8-9
When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. (Hosea 11:1)
Hold a sleepy child—a younger sibling, your own child, a grandchild—quietly for a few minutes, and feelings of love and tenderness, and even protectiveness, begin to well up on their own. The feelings you experience are a reflection of God’s love for you: warm, affectionate, and protective.
“When Israel was a child, I loved him” (Hosea 11:1). Try inserting your own name here. God loves you. And this love, this grace and generosity, do not depend on anything you do. His love rises above what you know, what you’ve done, or what you deserve. Acts of faithfulness don’t earn it, and disobedience doesn’t rule it out. God knows your sins and failings, your weaknesses and impulses, yet he is steadfastly patient.
“I called them… . My pity is stirred” (Hosea 11:2,8). Insert your name in those verses as well. God is calling you. He has compassion for you. No matter how near to him you feel (or how distant), he calls you to know him more. He has even more love to share with you.
God’s love is unwavering, inexhaustible. It is far bigger and better than our limited, human view of love. Hosea reminds us that our disobedience and ignorance can never drive God away. He created you out of eternal, uncreated love, and so he will always love you. He is drawing you with “human cords” (Hosea 11:4)—with his kindness and compassion—so that you will turn to him and let him show you his love. He places no heavy yoke, no onerous burden on you. No, he is gently and persistently calling you.
In prayer today, set your heart on God’s protection and compassion for you. Sit quietly and tell him: “Here I am, Father. I want to know your love.” Then, listen for his voice in your heart. Don’t worry about why he should—or shouldn’t—answer you. God loves you. Let him tell you. Give him room to speak, and he will convince you.
“Father, here I am. I want to know your love more deeply. Bring me close to your heart, and fill me with your mercy.”
No comments:
Post a Comment