Thursday of the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Foreword: Please join me this week on a journey, as we follow the Church’s readings through the Book of Hosea, an ancient prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel. I think you and I both will discover that the life and message of Hosea are still relevant and needed today. Reading Hosea can help us to understand and appreciate more God’s love for us in Christ Jesus.

We are nearing the end of our journey through the Book of Hosea. Today we hear how God will not give up on his people, because of his overwhelming love for them.

Like a good father who still cares about his rebellious son, God rightly punishes Israel for his misdeeds but then shows mercy. Israel was “a child” during the time of the Exodus from Egypt. From there he called his son (cf. Hos 11:1). God cared for him tenderly during his sojourn through the wilderness, stooping to feed them with manna and quail (cf. 11:4; Exod. 16). He taught him to walk, as with his Law and commandments, and drew them kindly with “bands of love” to himself (cf. 11:3-4). Yet, his son Israel, a nation of people, forgot that God was their father and their healer. “The more I called them, the farther they went from me, sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols” (11:2).

We can imagine how one generation would fail in the responsibility of passing on the faith, telling the stories, and helping the next generation to identify as God’s chosen children. Might this be our responsibility, too?

Reflections:
God is not like man (cf. 11:9); he is the Holy One, who justly punishes sinners but still loves them. What divine punishment and love have you experienced in your life?

God’s love has been perfected in Jesus Christ. How have you passed on God’s love in Christ to your children? Or how can you share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others today?

Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB