14th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 8th July 2024 – Hosea 2,16-18.21-22; Mt 9,18-26
Renewing Love
The first reading presents the description of Hosea’s marriage to Gomer and uses this as an analogy for God’s relationship with Israel. Despite Gomer’s infidelity, idolatry, and harlotry, God commands Hosea to enter into, keep, and renew his marriage with her. Using this metaphor, God speaks to Israel, his chosen people saying, that He wants to lead them back into the desert. For the years the Israelites spent in the wilderness, they were restful and relaxing, particularly the people, who had a close relationship, personal encounter and union with their Lord. Israel was then childlike, knowing nothing of pagan gods, and loyal to Yahweh, who was guiding them in the pillar of cloud and fire. God is willing not only to take back the unfaithful Israel, but also to raise Israel to the former glory and relationship. All this will be done only when Israel calls God “my husband” instead of “my baal”. There is an ironic play on words here. The word ‘baal’ means ‘master’ and it is also the name of one of the gods of Israel’s neighbouring nation. From ancient times, this proper name was without any idolatrous significance. Yahweh was the ‘master’ to whom the bearer of the name was dedicated. But after the influence of Canaanites and the worship of their gods, this Hebrew word for “master” was no longer used for the Lord. God then desires to have an intimate, personal relationship with Israel, not just a master/slave relationship. It is a bond of love and care, built on the Lord’s graciousness and mercy.
