Breaking the Word

14^th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 8^th 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.

13^th Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 6^th July 2024 – Amos 9,11-15; Mt 9,14-17

Restoration of New Eden

In the first reading, Amos comes to end his prophecies with promises to rebuild cities and restore plentiful harvest. After many denunciations of hypocritical religious practices and unjust treatment of the poor, the final words of the prophet picture a glorious prosperity like a new Eden. It brings in hope that messianic times will bring. The promises for the future include the restoration of the Davidic Kingdom, material prosperity and the homeland recovered forever. Amos reminds the people of Israel that it is the coming of the day of the Lord, when “the booth of David that is fallen” will be raised up. David’s booth, i.e., his dynasty, which had come on hard times and continually being humiliated by outside conquerors because of Israel’s unfaithful, idolatrous and corrupt practices within its land. He says the “booth or hut” rather than the “house” reminds of the humble beginnings of David, the shepherd boy who was picked out by God to succeed Saul as king of God’s people. Or perhaps it is an image of a once proud dynasty, now had fallen on sad times. The hope is that somewhere in the future, the ruins of Israel will be rebuilt and unfinished battles over enemies will be completed. It will be a time of prosperity and abundance. All will be restored as the people turn again to God and renew their relationship by their observance of God’s commands.