In today’s first reading, we bring a week of Hosea to a close. The choice of readings paints an image of life with and without God.
Monday: God spoke words of faithful, loyal love.
“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.”
Tuesday: Israel responded with what has to be the complete opposite of loyal love.
“With their silver and gold they made idols for themselves, to their own destruction…When they sow the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind.”
Wednesday: Hosea points out the dilemma of their choices, choosing “king” over God.
“Their heart is false, now they pay for their guilt; … “We have no king”— Since they do not fear the LORD, what can the king do for them?”
Thursday: And yet the Lord mourns like a parent for their miscreant child and cannot standby idly.
“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.”
Friday (today): The divine parent just asks one simple thing, just ask for forgiveness
“Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. Take with you words, and return to the LORD; Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity.”
And let God restore you to the Garden of Eden innocence.
“I will heal their defection, says the LORD, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar.”
This is life with God.
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