+ We have two powerful readings today for this Mass. The
first reading continues the story of Israel’s repentance and the Lord’s
willingness to take them back into the bosom of his heart. Ours is a healing
God, and he delights in every opportunity to forgive iniquity and restore lost
ground. The language of the Prophet Hosea is amazingly sensitive and tender:
After the people realize that they are not God, he says: “I will heal their defection, I will love them freely; 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. Then all will know that straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the
just walk, but sinners stumble in them.”
The gospel passage shows again
the results of the sending of the Apostles and disciples into a hostile and
contrary world: for the sake of the
Kingdom, your experience will be like that of sheep in the midst of wolves: you
will be brought up before earthly kings and courts, you will be led to
governors for my sake: but don’t worry about what you are to say: it will be
given to you at that moment: for it will be the Spirit speaking through you.
You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end
will be saved. And when they do persecute you, flee to another town; you will
not have covered them all before the Son of Man comes to judge the entire world
and reveal the thoughts and hearts of all men.
May
our mouths never cease declaring your praises, O Lord; may
we welcome opportunities to sacrifice for you today!
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