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 primarily 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.
