1ST READING
The
book of the prophet Hosea is somewhat unique among all the prophetic
writings. He focuses on a God of love, one of the first writers to do so
in Israel’s history. The words used to describe God in the Old
Testament usually invoke power, judgment and other strong sorts of
images. Love is more likely to be the domain of the women of the
Scriptures. However, Hosea places love fairly and squarely at the heart
of God’s character and being, and he is right to do this.
Hosea 14:2-10
2 Thus says the Lord: Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. 3 Take
with you words, and return to the Lord; say to him, “Forgive all
iniquity, and receive what is good, that we may render as offerings the
bullocks from our stalls. 4 Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to mount; we shall say no more, ‘Our god,’ to the work of our hands; for in
you the orphan finds compassion.” 5 I will heal their defection, says the Lord, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. 6 I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; he shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, 7 and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. 8 Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They
shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of
Lebanon. 9 Ephraim!
What more has he to do with idols? I have humbled him, but I will
prosper him. ‘I am like a verdant cypress tree’ — because of me you bear fruit! 10 Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them.
P S A L M
Psalm 81:6-8, 8-9, 10-11, 14, 17
R: I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.
5 [6] An unfamiliar speech I hear: 6 [7] “I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket. 7 [8] In distress you called, and I rescued you.” (R) Unseen, I answered you in thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. 8 [9] Hear, my people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, will you not hear me? (R) 9 [10] There shall be no strange god among you nor shall you worship any alien god. 10 [11] I, the Lord, am your God who led you forth from the land of Egypt. (R) 13 [14] If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, 16 [17] I would feed them with the best of
wheat, and with honey from the rock I would fill them.” (R)
GOSPEL
The
nature of our faith is that it has two main components: love of God and
love of neighbor. This is a fairly comprehensive summary of the life of
holiness. It is helpful if we keep this call in mind when we are
struggling with issues in our lives. Let us always seek to increase the
amount of love in our lives and in the world through all that we do.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Repent, says the Lord; the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 12:28-34
28 One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” 29 Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! 30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ 33 And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
think: Let us always seek to increase the amount of love in our lives and in the world through all that we do.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
____________________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
____________________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Revelation 1-3
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