Friday of the Fourteenth week of Ordinary time, Yr 2. July 12, 2024
Hos 14:2-10; Ps 51: 3-4, 8-9. 12-13, 14 and 17; Mt 10:16-23
Hosea’s prophecy closes on a note of hope. Verse 14:5 says, “I will heal their defection, says the Lord, I will love them freely.” These words are comforting to someone who hasn’t felt the love of God lately. When they are in the frame of mind that nothing they have done is good, how they yearn for a ray of hope. A simple I love you regardless may be all they need. The entire book of Hosea is about a man who lived between 786-746 BC. It is about his lament for all that is good. Meaning, that he struggled with finding good in his situation. Yet, in the end, God’s love comes back and saves him from destruction. So goes it with the love God has for us, even in our deepest times.
Jesus warns us that there will be times when no matter what we do, others will find fault in us. Jesus says we will be handed over to be scourged and put on trial. But He also says, “Do not worry about how you are to speak, or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit or your Father speaking through you.” It is through that trust in the Holy Spirit that we find the courage to get up and move on. The love God has for us is never-ending. We just need to believe it and live our lives accordingly. That doesn’t mean we won’t be held accountable if we did something wrong. We will need to make amends and seek forgiveness. And I dare say, we need to start by forgiving ourselves first. No matter what it is. Find something small to forgive ourselves or others, then seek God’s forgiveness and love.
The times are tough right now, there is mass confusion all over the place and we are easily distracted from the truth. But if we seek out God’s laws, the truth will be told. Today’s Psalm also gives us much strength during these difficult times. Because it draws us back to God who will provide us with the strength needed to persevere. Begin each day with the simple phrase from verse 17, one that gives us so much strength to carry on and say the right things. “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.” No matter what you say, know that God is with you and He will provide you with the right words. Just know that you speak the truth, and the truth is what truly matters.
Saint James Catholic Church 