Hosea's oracles on the love of God

This week we have been blessed to hear some of the most beautiful and poetic texts on the love of God in the bible They are contained in the prophet Hosea in 11:1-11 and 14:2-10. God is described as a father and Israel as the child that he loves and takes into his arms. She is like a mother holding an infant close to her cheek and giving the baby food. So great is his love that even though Israel has turned away, he will not punish or destroy them because he loves as God and not as a human person. In today's first reading Hosea hears the Lord urging the people to come back to him for he tells them that he loves them with all his heart and that his anger has turned from them. ''I shall fall like dew on Israel which will bloom like a lily.'' In the gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he is sending them out like sheep among wolves and warns them of the dificulties that they will face. Like the apostles we too need perseverance and courage. When suffering and hardship come our way, let us remember the words of the love of God spoken by Hosea. ''It is I who hear their prayer and care for them.'' Up till now, Hosea may have been unknown to us. May his oracles on the love of God for us touch our hearts and deepen our trust and hope in our loving Father.