Thursday, July 7, 2022

 Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Hosea 11:1-4.8e-9; Matthew 10:7-15)

Of all the prophets Hosea touches most the hearts of readers.  He tells the story of how God directs him to marry a prostitute as a sign of Israel’s fidelity.  In today’s reading Hosea tenderly describes God’s love for His people.  He pictures God as a father teaching his children to walk and as a mother rubbing cheeks with her child.  At the end of the passage the prophet retains pity for His people, not wrath as they deserve.

God’s pity is not fruitless.  He sends His Son, Jesus Christ, to finally turn their hearts to Him.  In the gospel Jesus sends his apostles to do what he has been doing.  They are to proclaim the kingdom of God with words and deeds.  They are to speak of God’s love and to show that love with acts of power.

We inherit the tasks of the apostles as well as their glory.  We should not be afraid to tell others that God’s kingdom has come in Jesus.  Equally important, we must demonstrate God’s love with works of mercy.

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