Readings: Hosea 11:1:4.8-9, Ps. 80, Matt 10:7-15
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
GOD HAS ALWAYS LOVED US, BUT WHY DO WE ALWAYS REBEL AGAINST HIM?
Today in our first reading we heard how God through prophet Hosea demonstrated his compassionate fatherly love for his rebellious people saying: When Israel was a child I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called to them, the further they went from me; they have offered sacrifice to the Baals and set their offerings smoking before the idols. I myself taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in my arms; yet they have not understood that I was the one looking after them. I led them with reins of kindness, with leading-strings of love. I will not give rein to my fierce anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again, for I am God, not man: I am the Holy One in your midst and have no wish to destroy.
Here, we heard of God’s anger and dissatisfaction with the constant disobedience and rebellious attitude of the people and the upcoming consequences for their sins. But God in his compassionate love, wishes to save the people. Showing us that in God, we have a compassionate and loving Father who always care about us despite our constant disobedience and rebellious attitude towards Him. And out of His love for us, He has not stopped sending His messengers to help guide us out of the wrong path we are taking. In fact, out of love, He sent Jesus His only begotten Son to be our Lord and Saviour.
Thus, in our Gospel passage we heard how Jesus went about doing good, healing the sick and setting captive free from the shackles of the evil ones and to continue this great mission he invited his disciples and sent them out, commanding them to see themselves as someone who gives freely of the good they have received from God. They should offer to others what they have received from God, knowing that it has cost them nothing.
They are to live a life of detachment that is, in this mission, they are to depend totally on God’s providence. Unfortunate many of the disciples have to face rejection and persecutions from people, who through their rebellious attitude have refused to believe in God even though he has always been so patient, loving, caring and forgives us.
Dear friends, why is it that the more God loves us the more we separate ourselves from him? Today, we are called to repent from our sinful and rebellious attitudes and embrace the compassionate love and care that God is offering us. And as disciples of Christ, we have received a lot from God without payment; we should learn to give without expecting reward.
Today we are called to acknowledge with gratitude all that we have received from God and give freely to others that which we have received. For this act of charity will purify us from pride and self-righteousness, because we are all recipients of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, favour, protection, healing and deliverance just like St. Benedict, whose memorial we celebrate today. For he is known for his renowned piety and commitment to living a life of purity and prayer, of which he inspired many others to follow him in a life of asceticism and prayer.
Therefore, we must offer to others these same gifts which we have received. We are to show love to people, forgive, help the needy and share with one another the gifts God has blessed us with, and if our love and care are rejected, we should offer it as a sign for the judgement day. Remember, your kind gestures today can turn someone’s life around now or later and by so doing we extend God’s divine compassion to rebellious humanity.
LET US PRAY: Lord God, you have sacrificed a lot to save us from our rebellious and sinful attitudes, through the intercession of St. Benedict open our hearts once again to repent and embrace your compassionate love and care for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.
