1st Reading Hosea 10: 1-3, 7-8, 12
Psalm Ps. 105:2-3.4-5.6-7 (R. 4b)
Gospel Matthew 10: 1-7
Dear friends, today we have Hosea speaking to the Israelites as he exposes their transgressions. Noting especially their cultic acts and a consequential future breakdown of the human leadership, the abandonment of the altars, and implementation of God's punishment, Hosea advises them to seek a renewal of heart and turn to the Lord.
“The more the abundance his fruit, the more altars he built” (v. 1). The basis for building an altar, sacred pillars is Faith. These resonate well with a sacred arena dedicated to a deity. Sacrifices are made in these altars as expression of worship to God.
If the element of faith is lost, whatever is done culminates in the payment of lip service. This resultant usually becomes the order when we are torn between two opposites, where we crave for that which opposes what is genuine.
These are Israelites found between kowtowing to God and Baal. Obviously, faith should not be at its expressive peak on either sides and this is true in the manner in which worship is given to God.
The fear of God grounds leadership. The absence of a the fear of God in any society renders its leadership ineffective and irrelevant in which case decisions elect to oppress.
The Lord now speaks to destroy the religious and political mindedness of Israel which is not of totality but of a partial obeisance because of the neglect of the ways of God.
This pronouncement and implementation of this punishment will become an effective way of ensuring the return of Israel to God and to him alone.
The prophet Hosea advises them to “sow for THEMSELVES righteousness, reap the fruit of mercy; break up THEIR fallow ground, for _it is the time to seek the Lord_ , that he may come and rain salvation on THEM” (v. 12) [capitalized are mine]. This is a time for newness.
We pray to be open to God's word and profess faith in him alone.
Pax et Bonum
Comments
Post a Comment