DAILY HOMILIES #Hosea

In summary, Jesus wants us to be both smart and pure in heart. To illustrate smartness, Jesus gave the parable of the unjust steward who reduced the debts of his master’s debtors so that he would have friends to welcome him when he was kicked out of the job. (cf. Luke 16:1-13). However, unlike the unjust steward with ulterior motives, Jesus wants us to be creative and blameless.

Preaching may begin on the pulpit, but it must never end there. We must go out to touch the sick, feed the hungry and help the poor; we must strive to meet the people where they are. When reaching out to the people, we must avoid turning our ministry into a money-making enterprise. Jesus says: “You received without pay, give without pay, take no gold, silver, or copper. No bag, two tunics, sandals, or a staff.”

God will never give you an assignment without the necessary tools required for that assignment. Jesus knew the battle ahead. He knew He would risk too much if He sent his disciples “empty-handed.” Jesus did not give them money. He gave them that which is more than money – authority to cast out demons and to heal diseases and infirmity.

Jesus saw all of these and referred to them as harvest and, at the same time, noted that this particular harvest lacked sufficient labourers. God wants to intervene, but He needs people. And we are the labourers. Visit the sick, help the poor, clothe the naked, and make efforts to convert a sinner. God is inviting you to labour for Him. If you are in a position to help salvage the spate of attacks on c, please do something. Labour in this harvest for God

Pray with faith; pray with expectation; pray like Jarius and the woman with the issue of blood. Ensure that your actions before, during and after praying do not contradict your faith. The woman with the issue of blood backed her faith with action by touching the fringe of Jesus’ garment. Jarius, despite being a ruler in Israel, knelt before Jesus.

God instructed Hosea to marry a harlot to demonstrate the idolatrous practices of the Israelite nation. Just as a harlot leaves her husband for other men, we cheat on God when we break the first commandment. Hosea says: “Return to the Lord. Say to Him: ‘…Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; we will say no more, ‘Our God’, to the work of our hands.’” (Hosea 14:2-3).

Most of us are good at identifying our problems, but we easily become overwhelmed by their magnitude. We either fail to pray or fail to act with faith. Do that which is in your power to do. It may be very small compared to the problem but do it. Let it become a mustard-seed action planted in faith. Jesus came to save the whole world, yet He chose to begin his ministry with only twelve workers.

Jairus believed that Jesus had the power to raise the dead to life, just as the woman suffering from the issue of blood believed that touching the fringe of Jesus’ garment could heal her. Do you believe there is a limit to what God can (or is willing) to do for you? Do you still think there are problems that prayer cannot solve? If God is our husband and we are his spouse, there is no limit to what He is willing to do to protect and provide for us.

Our first reading today comes from the Book of Prophet Hosea. God instructed Hosea to marry a harlot to demonstrate the idolatrous practices of the Israelite nation. Just as a harlot leaves her husband for other men, we cheat on God when we serve other gods (such as money, power, pleasure, etc.)