The Channel of Faithfulness

The Channel of Faithfulness

Meditation for Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13; Mt 9:32-38)

The powerful illustration of Hosea’s marriage to Gomer was to expose Israel’s infidelity to God and call them back to repentance, since God mercy awaited them. In today’s reading, the prophet highlighted some of their atrocities against their covenant with God. “They set up princes, but without my knowledge; with their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction.” Hosea explained to them that unfaithfulness yields futility; disobedience leads to destruction! He said, “Now God will remember their iniquity, and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.”

Such punishment as announced upon unfaithful Israel can be seen to manifest in the life of the possessed man in the gospel of today. The man lost the ability to speak his mind and to praise God. Jesus, the Faithful Servant per excellence, steps in to set the man free from the bondage of evil. And He went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel, and healing every disease and infirmity.

 

Think about how Jesus gave out knowledge of God through His teaching, true worship by his preaching of the gospel, and liberation by healing of body and soul. All these are easily gotten by the man who is on the path of faithfulness to God. That is why Hosea exposed the atrocities of the people and how they lead to destruction. But thanks be to Jesus, we have the living channel of faithfulness; never shall we ‘return back to Egypt’, the land of slavery. And a man who has been set free by Christ Jesus learns of His love and compassion. Faithfulness without love is empty and hypocrisy.

 

Therefore, as Hosea went out in search of his wife, and as the healed made the people to praise God, so does Christ’s faithful follow His steps of compassion and go forth bringing healing and liberation to others, becoming other channels of faithfulness. At the end of today’s gospel Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Tuesday July 5, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

www.soundofsilence.ng

 

Steadfast Love

Meditation for Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Hosea 2:14-16, 19-20; Mt 9:18-26)

The name ‘Hosea’ means ‘Salvation.’ Hosea prophesized during the reign of Jeroboam II, before the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel to Assyria. The prophet is popularly known for his marriage to Gomer the prostitute. This unfaithful woman became a symbol of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God in following other gods and committing evil. It was strange and scandalous that a holy man like Hosea would stoop low to marry such an unbefitting woman. Thus, the prophet became a symbol of God’s covenant with His people, and God’s faithfulness despite Israel’s infidelity. Hosea’s marriage with Gomer became an illustration of God’s intense desire for His people, and His excessive mercy and forgiveness. “And I will espouse you forever; I will espouse you in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. I will espouse you in faithfulness; and you shall know the Lord.”

God’s salvation is manifested through His love and mercy. What Hosea stood for and depicted in symbols, is now given in reality and in its fullness in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we gaze upon Jesus in the Gospel of today as He heals the woman with hemorrhage through her faith, and as He raised the official’s daughter back to life. Jesus’ love and compassion for the sick woman was so overwhelming that a little touch at the fringe of his garment healed her.  The abundance of life in Him was so excessive that He held the girl by the hand and restored her to life.

 

Sin is like a sickness to the soul; death is the consequences thereof. But as in the illustration of Hosea and Gomer, Jesus heals us and restores our life. We come to Him for that divine that divine touch, no matter has little it might be. And we marvel and testify at His steadfast love and mercy, which heals and restores us. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Monday July 4, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com