14th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 10th July 2024 – Hosea 10,1-3.7-8.12; Mt 10,1-7
Seek the Lord of Justice
In the first reading, Hosea communicates God’s judgment to sinful Israel. He says that the nation will become a wasteland, the people will soon be dispersed to Egypt and Assyria, the monarchy of Israel will fall, and the idolatrous sanctuaries in Bethel and Dan will be destroyed. Today’s reading connects Israel’s material prosperity with their idolatry: the more Israel prospered, the higher the standard of living, the more idols, altars and sacred pillars to false gods were set up. The people used all their energies in worshipping and pursuing. Their hearts were divided between worship of Yahweh and the Baals, or hesitating between Egypt and Assyria for their alliances. They chose false gods and Baal over the one true God. Hosea warns his listeners that after all their unfaithfulness, it was time “to seek out justice and mercy of God”. Seek the Lord means turning fully toward the Lord and proclaiming God as their Lord, instead of seeking to build altars and offer sacrifices to false gods. Those who seek the Lord look back and recall his wondrous deeds, his miracles and his judgments. The hearts that seek the Lord rejoice because they are filled with true joy. If the people change their ways and begin to plant justice, then they will reap the fruits not only for themselves, but others as well. It is time now to plough new field and unproductive ground and go in search of God, in order to become productive and fruitful.
