In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 9, we see the story of two healings. A woman who has been suffering for years is healed by her faith, and Jesus brings a little girl back from the dead. Thanks be to God for our great Healer!
The first reading today from Hosea 2 is filled with the language of marriage. The nation of Israel is like God’s bride, and we hear that very clearly. “I will espouse you to me forever: I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the Lord.” What beautiful words!
As the Church, we are the bride of Christ; we are married to God in the truest sense of the word. While this is a most wonderful thing, I believe it also poses particular challenges. Today, over half of marriages end in divorce. That rate holds true even for Christian people. Most folks don’t have a very good ideal of marriage as being a forever covenant. I don’t say this to throw stones. It is what it is. It is my belief that this imperfect picture of marriage carries over to our spiritual lives. Because spouses are selfish, unfaithful, etc., we often believe God will have those same flaws. Not so. In fact, just the opposite. We are the ones who are selfish, unfaithful, etc. Let’s pray that we can be faithful to our end of the marriage covenant with God.
Father, forgive us for those times when we are unfaithful. Give us hearts of repentance and faithfulness. Amen.
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