Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Hosea
10:1-3.7-8.12; Matthew 10:1-7)
The
readings from the prophet Hosea these past two days tell of sowing and
reaping. Yesterday the prophet warned
that if Israel sows the wind, it will reap the whirlwind. The wind is the panoply of false gods –
money, pleasure, power, and prestige. Hosea
means that any people who strives for these vanities is bound to wreak havoc
upon itself. This result was evidenced
after World War I, the so-called “Great War.” After the Allied powers imposed heavy
penalties upon Germany, a second, more disastrous war followed.
In today’s
reading Hosea pleads with Israel to “sow for yourselves” justice so that it may
“reap the fruit of piety.” If a nation
endeavors to put into practice the Lord’s justice, it will be duly
rewarded. After World War II, the United
States established the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe. As a result, in not too many years the whole
continent flourished economically. The
United States had markets for its products as well as the goodwill of the
world.
We
sometimes see slogans like “follow your dreams” or “do what your feelings tell
you.” Such advice might lead to “sow(ing)
the wind.” We are wise to think through
our dreams and feelings to see where they are leading. If they move us to love God and neighbor,
then yes; let’s consider them seriously.
If not, let’s find fruitful alternatives.
