for July 10
Friday of the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Today’s first reading is the conclusion of the book of the 8^th century prophet Hosea. He begins by exhorting the people to return, not from exile or a foreign land, but to repent and return to the one called their God, as opposed to other so-called gods they have occasionally worshiped. The Lord realizes they have recognized their sinfulness as seen by the guilt paralyzing them, something with which we can sometimes be tempted. They are told to return with words, not of course merely with words, but beseeching the forgiveness of God. Once they do so their temple sacrifices will again be beneficial, reminding us of the essential link between worship and life.

Where they have gone wrong, we are told, is relying on foreign alliances and military force, presumably rather than on God, and even worse apparently venerating man-made idols. The compassion for the orphan mentioned is a traditional prophetic emphasis, or maybe by their behavior they have orphaned themselves, and God is having compassion on them. The Lord promises to heal their defection, to forgive their sins, to turn away his punishing wrath. Most importantly, God will love them freely as he does us, the love of God never needing to be earned.

There follow a number of images from nature describing not their crops but the people: as a blossoming lily, a fragrant olive tree, a cedar tree whose extending roots suggest spiritual growth paralleling in fame fine wine from Lebanon. The cost is having nothing to do with idols; the humility so reflected results in prospering and bearing fruit, the latter a common biblical expression for good deeds, especially good deeds to others. Jesus himself will praise such deeds because they cause others to his glorify his heavenly Father. The final verse reminds us to be wise and prudent in walking the straight paths of the Lord.

In the gospel, Jesus challenges his apostles as he about to send them forth on mission. They are to be like sheep in the midst of wolves. I wonder if we Christians sometimes feel like that in our culture, but I also remember the prophetic promise that one day the wolf will lie down with the lamb. Jesus graphically warns the apostles of the opposition that they (and presumably those that follow after them) will encounter, much of which sounds like what happened to Jesus. The key is that such opposition is an opportunity to bear witness to Jesus and his message. Moreover, there is no need to worry about what to say for at the appropriate time what to say will be given by the Holy Spirit from the Father.

The second example deals with similar challenging divisions within families. At least in the first century or so this was probably prevalent. What happens when a husband says Jesus is the long-awaited messiah or savior and a wife says he is not? Or a son says Jesus is and the parent says he is not? Only you can decide if something similar happens today. But Jesus promises salvation to those who endure and ultimately his transforming power.
—Edward O’Donnell SJ

Today’s readings can be found on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.