get the message?
“I will love them freely.” —Hosea 14:5
Today we conclude the readings from the book of Hosea, and the logical concluding questions are: “Did we get the message of the prophet Hosea? And has it sunk deep in our hearts and been applied to our lives?”
The revelation the Lord gave through Hosea is that His love for us is unconditional. As the Lord told Hosea to marry and love an adulterous wife, so the Lord loves us even if we choose to be unfaithful to Him through sin (see Hos 1:2).
Have you accepted the grace to believe that God’s love for you is perfect, infinite, unconditional, and unchangeable? As baptized sons and daughters of God, we should be unshakably secure in our Father’s love. This should make us truly free and profoundly at peace.
If you believe in God’s unconditional love for you, have you applied this to your life by accepting the grace to respond by loving Him unconditionally? Even if the Lord permitted you to suffer the tragedies of Job, would you say: “Blessed be the name of the Lord”? (Jb 1:21) Live in unconditional love.
Prayer: Father, may the words of the prophet Hosea find a home in my heart.
Promise: “You will be hated by all on account of Me. But whoever holds out till the end will escape death.” —Mt 10:22
Praise: Although her husband became disabled soon after their marriage, Jean cared for him and their son faithfully and with sacrificial love.
Reference: (Are you single for the Lord and 30 years of age or older? If so, we offer a retreat for all who seek to follow the Lord in the single vocation, Aug. 14-16. Gain strength and encouragement for your journey. See www.presentationministries.com or call 513-373-2397 or 937-587-5464 to register.) (For a related teaching on Divine Love, order, listen to, or download our CD 52-3 or DVD 52 on our website.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 18, 2019"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.