Thank God for His mercy. In today’s first reading from Hosea 11, we read about God’s great mercy, tenderness and love. Listen to the tender feelings God has as He speaks of Ephraim. “My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger.”
In the Gospel today from Matthew 9, Jesus sends out the Twelve, telling them, “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” Words for us to live by. This is a wonderful reminder that all that we have, all that we are, is nothing more than a gracious gift from God. God has showered His gifts and blessings upon us. It is incumbent upon us to share those gifts and blessings.
This passage, I believe, should play out especially in our closest relationships. We must be willing to give freely of ourselves to our spouses, our children and our families. This brings to mind to me the whole notion of covenant. A covenant relationship is an exchange of persons; a total self-donation. So, as God has freely given Himself to us, we must freely share Him with others.
Father, thank you for giving us everything. Help us to remember that you have given all without cost, and that we must then do the same. Amen.
0 comments