Friday of the Third Week of Lent
(Hosea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34)
In today’s first reading God speaks to a proud people that
has been severely humbled. Israel, the
Northern Kingdom, was prosperous and arrogant.
It departed from holiness to follow the ways of the world. Then it met catastrophe when the powerful
Assyrian kingdom swallowed it like a bear eating fish in preparation for
winter.
God shows no disdain for Israel. Rather he extends a hand of mercy. As the people of Israel look for a helping
hand in their need, God offers His. He
says that He will reestablish Israel’s prosperity if its people recommit themselves
to His ways of holiness.
Some of us have succumbed to the ways of the world as had
Israel. We have given up on prayer and regular
attendance of Mass. We seek above all
material prosperity and recognition of others.
Hopefully, we too may repent of our abandonment of the Lord’s ways. Hopefully, our God -- the only God -- will
welcome us back.
