-
March 17, 2023
What is the best and surest way to peace, happiness, and abundant life? The prophet Hosea addressed this question with the people of Israel. Hosea's people lived in a time of economic anxiety and fear among the nations. They were tempted to put their security in their own possessions and in their political leaders rather than in God. Hosea called his people to return to God to receive forgiveness, healing, and restoration. He reminded them that God would "heal their faithlessness and love them unconditionally." God's ways are right, and his wisdom brings strength and blessing to those who obey him.
How do love and obedience to God's law complement each other? The Pharisees prided themselves in the knowledge of the law and their ritual requirements. They made it a lifetime practice to study the 613 precepts of the Old Testament. They tested Jesus to see if he correctly understood the law as they did. Jesus startled them with his profound simplicity and mastery of the law of God and its purpose.
What does God ask of us? Simply that we love as he loves! God is love and everything he does flows from his love for us. God loved us first and our love for him is a response to his grace and kindness toward us. The love of God comes first. The love of neighbor is firmly grounded in the love of God. The more we know of God's love and truth, the more we love what he loves and reject what is hateful and contrary to his will.
What makes our love for God and his commands grow in us? Faith in God and hope in his promises strengthen us in the love of God. They are essential for a good relationship with God, and for being united with him. The more we know of God, the more we love him; and the more we love him, the greater we believe and hope in his promises. The Lord, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, gives us a new freedom to love as he loves. St. Paul says: hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.