The Faithfulness Of God

Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12 & Mt. 10:1-7

A bleak picture of Israel is presented in today's first reading. The more luxurious the life of the people became, the more altars and shrines they built to pagan gods. The more affluent they were, the less faithful they were to God. The prophet Hosea tried to warn them, but the fact is that in 732 BC part of the northern kingdom was destroyed by Assyrian armies, and the rest fell to these forces ten years later.

But God never gives up on His people. In the Gospel we see Jesus choosing the 12 and sending them out to recover 'the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' He wanted them for the moment to confine their attention to their own people, to give them the first opportunity to know the truth.

Eventually the Good News was to be communicated through the Apostles to all the peoples of the world; removed though we are by 2,000 years from the time of Jesus, we are among the recipients. The Apostles and all ministers of the Gospel are the instruments of God. It is His almighty power which has been responsible for the spread of the faith. And it is His grace which has opened our hearts to accept that faith.

By most standards we live in a luxurious and affluent society. The power of God which spread the Gospel can also protect us from the pitfalls of our society. We need to acknowledge that our receiving the faith, as well as our preserving of it, are both dependent on the almighty, loving power of God - but we have a solemn responsibility to be open to this at all times.

Lord Jesus, may we never doubt Your love for us. You never give up on us. May we never give up on You.