Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, peace be with you. We are presented with two profound readings in today’s blessed Mass that speak to the heart of our relationship with God and the essence of our calling as His people. The first reading from Hosea reminds us of the importance of returning to God, while the second reading from Mark confronts us with the centrality of love in our faith.
The prophet Hosea, speaking on behalf of God, calls Israel to return from their waywardness. "Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt." This call is not just for them but for each of us today. Just as ancient Israel sought false gods, we too can find ourselves relying on worldly pursuits, achievements, or relationships that ultimately fail to fill our spiritual hunger. Hosea beckons us to acknowledge our shortcomings and to come back to the Lord, who is eager to forgive and restore us.
"Take with you words and return to the LORD." This is not merely a mechanical act of saying, "I'm sorry," but an invitation into a genuine dialogue of repentance and healing. God desires a relationship with us, and like any healthy relationship, it is built on communication, understanding, and an earnest return to love. The imagery of God as the "dew" for Israel reminds us that this relationship brings life and growth. In our vulnerability, God provides the nourishment we need to blossom and thrive like the beautiful cedars of Lebanon.
In the Gospel from Mark, we see a scribe approaching Jesus with a deep question: "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus responds with clarity. He articulates the very foundation of our faith: love. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." And he adds, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." In these two commandments, Jesus sums up the entire law and the prophets. It’s not about ritual sacrifices or adherence to the law for the sake of law itself; it is about love—love for God and love for neighbor.
What strikes me in this exchange is the scribe's understanding. He sees that true love is more valuable than burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus recognizes his insight and affirms him, saying, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." Herein lies our challenge and invitation. Love is at the heart of the Kingdom; it is the path that leads us closer to God.
As we reflect on these readings, we must consider our own lives. Are we returning to God with honesty and humility? Are we fostering true loving relationships with those around us? Sometimes, we can get caught up in our routines and forget that our practice of faith is meant to ripple outward, expressing itself through our love for others.
Let us strive to embody the love that Jesus speaks of. It means being compassionate and forgiving, extending grace where it's hard, and remembering to see the face of Christ in every person we encounter. It means embracing vulnerability—acknowledging our failings while trusting in God’s abundant mercy. It means returning to this love daily, for it is in this love that we find our true purpose and identity as Children of God.
May we take the words of Hosea to heart and return to God with sincerity and fervour. May we love God wholeheartedly and reflect that love in our interactions with our neighbours. As we do so, we draw nearer to the Kingdom of God, becoming instruments of His grace and love in a world craving genuine compassion and connection. Amen.
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Thank you Jesus. Thank you Father