Blossom March 16

I will be like the dew for Israel:he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. Hosea 14:6-8

When Jesus saw that (the scribe) answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Mark 12:34

Piety

God, lover and parent, we have sinned against you and the gifts that you have provided to us. Please forgive us for our indescretions and allow us to make amends to you. Help us to show you that we do indeed understand the meaning of your message. Give us the wisdom to express that understanding to you sp we can truly pray each day, “Thy Kingdom Come.” Amen.

Study

Moving away from the admonitions of yesterday, today’s scripture readings serve us up a taste of the rewards in store when we hear and heed the Word of God. The reward is sweetest when we heed the message of the Lord. In the prophecy from Hosea, we see the love of the Lord expressed with numerous signs of new life: blossom like the lily, put forth shoots, fragrance like the cedar.

As we learn in the New American Bible introduction to the Book of Hosea, “Just as Hosea could not give up his wife forever even when she played the harlot, so Yahweh could not renounce Israel, who had been betrothed to him. God would chastise, but it would be the chastisement of the jealous lover, longing to bring back the beloved to the fresh and pure joy of their first love.

That doesn’t mean God did not feel jilted like a lover when the chosen people turned against him. Earlier in Hosea, we hear the sorrow in God’s voice. “The more I called them, the farther they went from me (Hosea 10:2). And then God expresses the love of a parent for a child. “I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks; Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer.” (Hosea 10:4)

But God can not turn against us like we turn against God.

How could I give you up, O Ephraim, or deliver you up, O Israel? How could I treat you as Admah, or make you like Zeboiim? My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again; For I am God and not man, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you. (Hosea 10:8-9)

This Lover-God begs us to listen. “If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, I would feed them with the best of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would fill them.” (Psalm 81:17)

Not only is the reward expressed in ways that appeal to the senses and the appetite of people, but also in the spiritual rewards.

Thus, when the scribe tests Jesus in the reading from Mark, we see the reward played out to one who listens and heeds the word of God. “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”

Action

What can you do to be like the scribe? How can our understanding of the Word of God translate into actions that bring us closer to the Kingdom of God?

How would you respond to your own child, spouse or sibling who earnestly begged for your love even though you might have done something that hurt them? Perhaps today you can resolve to freely give your “caritas” (love/charity) to at least the first person who asks. Then consider the second. Then, respond to the third.

Try to give a loving response to everyone you encounter today.