Monday, July 4, 2016

7/5/2016 – Tuesday of the 14th week of Ordinary Time – Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13

      We will be hearing from a lot of different prophets in these next coming weeks in our first readings in our daily masses.  Last week we heard from Amos, a shepherd from the southern kingdom of Judah whom God called to be a prophet of social justice.  This week we hear from the prophet Hosea.  Hosea lived and prophesied before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 8th century before Christ’s birth.  In our reading today, we hear how Hosea is very unhappy about the kings and princes that the people have chosen to be their leaders.  Many of those kings and princes made idols for worship that led the people further away from God.  We have our own presidential election coming up.  We are electing congressmen and other governmental representatives as well.  It is very important for us to choose wisely.  I look at what is happening in Great Britain right now, as a lot of the people and leaders are regretting the outcome of their country’s vote to exit the European Union, how many of those leaders have resigned and want nothing to do with mapping out a new future for that country.  We need prayer and discernment and a well informed conscience in order to make wise decisions in how to vote.  We contrast the leaders that Hosea calls out to the leadership Jesus embodies in today’s Gospel – being a shepherd to the people, having compassion for the way they are troubled and burdened, teaching and preaching the Gospel message of Good News, and brining healing into the lives of the people.   Jesus’ servant leadership is a great example for us.  May we take our responsibility to vote seriously.  May we vote with the values of our faith.

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