Reflection for Monday
of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Year A
(Hosea 2:14, 15-16,
19-20; Mt 9:18-26)
1.0. Preface
This week, we shall be reading from
the Prophet Hosea. He is popularly known for his marriage to Gomer, the
prostitute. God used this unholy union to demonstrate Israel’s unfaithfulness as
against His steadfast love for them. The
children born to them became symbols of the different punishment due to Israel
for her unfaithfulness. God’s steadfast love with its transforming power was
clearly made known as Hosea struggles to reclaim the love of Gomer, and bring
her out of her filthy ways. How?
The Prophet announced plans to lure
her to submission, which included the withdrawal of her merrymaking; she would
be denied corn and wine, wool and flax, and her lovers would be chased away
(Hos 2:4-15). Then he says, “Behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the
wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.”
2.0. The Desert Touch
Why must such a stubborn and
restless woman be taken to the desert before she could be submissive? A desert encounter
speaks of dryness, thirst, simplicity and humility, and silence. Whenever our
hearts become like Gomer before God, we need such a desert experience to listen
and realize our standing with God. This happens when we begin to purge the
heart of ‘noise’ by focusing on the real things that matter; realizing the
tender touch of God’s love. Then our inner desire for union with God—yearning for
His righteousness, steadfast love and mercy—begins to supersede and overshadow our
hearts. Taking one’s heart to the ‘desert’ is to have an ‘alone encounter’ with
God, which Hosea describes as “espousal.” Imagine how beautiful and glorious it
is to have such an encounter; to be alone with God and be satisfied. This is a desert touch with which God uses to draw
us to faithfulness.
3.0. The Touch of Faith
The Gospel of today tells us of the story
of two miracles. First, a ruler came to Jesus, knelt before Him and employed
Him to come and touch his daughter that she might be restored to life. The
gesture of kneeling down is like a ‘desert’ experience, where one strips of
himself, surrenders to a divine touch. In this submission of faith, the high
official brought himself down with all his worries that he might rise in Christ
Jesus. A faith that can ‘move mountains’ (Mt 17:20) is such a faith that can
move Jesus to act.
As Jesus was going to the official’s
house with his disciples, a woman suffering from hemorrhage touched the fringe
of his garment saying, “If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well.”
This touch of faith made Jesus to stop abruptly. Faith is a force; it is power!
He who has strong faith is indeed a strong person. Faith is our response to God’s touch and
the only way we can ‘touch’ God to receive healing and restoration. Jesus said
to her, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.”
4.0. The Silent Touch
On getting to the official’s house,
there was tumult! The death of the little girl attracted so much wailing,
coupled with the crowd and the flute players. It was a great noise. It was like
the rowdy life of Gomer, full of confusion and restlessness. How can God’s
touch be felt at such a moment? That is why there is need to be alone with God—a
desert touch—where we listen and are ‘espoused’ by divine love. Thus, Jesus
sent all the noisemakers away, “He went in and took her by the hand, and the
girl arose.”
Imagine the silence, the great solemnity with which Jesus used to touch
the girl and restored her to life. The silence of faith has conquered the
silence of death! The steadfast love of God allures us to be ‘alone with God’,
where we strip ourselves of selfishness. Then, one moment of divine touch raises
us to joy, life fulfillment and to total transformation.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday July 6th, 2020.
