Written by Sr. Rosemary Finnegan O.P.
Readings from: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070522.cfm
All this week our first readings are from the prophet Hosea.
Anyone who knew about Hosea's life could only feel sorry for him, however. The reality was, his wife Gomer was a harlot, but he thought she was beautiful and he loved her. She eventually marries Hosea and they had 3 children. Soon afterwards, however, she wanders back to her former lifestyle and has many lovers. Hosea is heartbroken but he never ever stopped loving her. Sadly, through all her infidelity, she never thinks of Hosea. Yet, he waits patiently for her, seeks her out, and loves her always.
This story of his marriage is an important background to know because it was the major image he used to point out the infidelity and sins of Israel against God. Hosea's marriage, then, became a living sermon. In both his personal life and his preaching, Hosea witnessed that God’s love is faithful, forgiving, and everlasting. We heard yesterday Hosea’s beautiful prophesy from the Lord, which was also the way he felt about his wife: "I want to allure her away with me. I will speak to her heart. If she runs after other lovers, I will run after her. She will be mine forever. "
Hosea's name means "salvation". He was known to be a tender prophet, and a prophet of grace who ministered to a wicked society. The people were lawless, rebellious, and unjust. Hosea kept pleading with them to repent. He declared the Lord's continuing love for his wayward, backsliding people, much like he himself declared his continuing love and loyalty for Gomer. Hosea's message was one of God's grace and love, a love that remained constant even though scorned by Israel.
- What Hosea did for Gomer, God did for Israel.
- What Gomer did to Hosea, Israel did to God.
Through all his grief, Hosea always left the door open for Gomer to come home.
God, too, always leaves the door open for his people to repent and come back to God. As we listen to the strong voice of Hosea this week, we will also hear the Lord's tender call to turn back to God's loving embrace. It is a reminder to us of who God is for us. We are graced by God who loves us despite our sinfulness, despite our wanderings, despite our forgetting him. We are graced by the gift of Eucharist and of Jesus who wants to hold us to his heart forever. This is the special love God has for us.
Like God’s love, and the special love Hosea had for Gomer, may we love others by being faithful, forgiving, and always turning to God in our troubles.
