Wednesday, 14th week in Ordinary time
July 11, 2018: Hos 10: 1-3, 7-8, 12; Mt 10: 1-7
Faithfulness to God and a contrary tendency, this is the theme that runs entirely through the book of Prophet Hosea. He insists on the need to remain faithful to God, or in case of a fall, to renew our faithfulness and cuddle up back to God's love. The worst thing that can happen in a relationship is not an accidental breach of faith, instead a deliberate choice of treason, and an obstinate repetition of the same.
The Gospel reminds us of our special calling, the call to belong to the Lord and to follow him; a call by name! The reminder is made specific as the Lord instructs the apostles to go into the lost flock of Israel and not outside. The point is for us to understand that we as people of God, chosen children of God, we are the first one's who need to be converted. As the teachings of the Church insists upon with such clarity, the evangeliser has to be first evangelised; one who proclaims the Word has to first challenge oneself against the background of the Word!
Our faithfulness is not only a matter of life and death, it is primarily a matter of simple, ordinary, day to day decisions and choices. It has to be exhibited in our day to day priorities and be lived on an everyday basis. Faithfulness is better understood as a matter of everyday living, rather than an overall project of life.