Israel is a luxuriant vine.

“Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain down justice upon you.” (Hosea 10: 12).

Wednesday 8th July 2020, 14th Week in Ordinary Time.

My brethren, has prosperity become a snare for us? The wise say: "Man's extremity is God's opportunity. Man's security is Satan's opportunity." Consider this:
At a time when the richest nations of the world have experienced unimaginable prosperity, less than 25% of the population care to worship God on Sunday. There are significant pockets of poverty in the wealthy nations. The gaps between the haves and have nots continue to widen. This is the profile of Israel when God sent Hosea the Prophet to the nation of Israel to announce that He the Lord will put an end to this nonsense one way or the other.

"Israel is a luxuriant vine whose fruit matches its growth. The more abundant his fruit, the more altars he built; The more productive his land, the more sacred pillars he set up." (Hosea 10: 1).

What shall we do my brethren? The Responsorial Psalm in today's Liturgy reminds us that God is a merciful God and that if we humble ourselves before Him, He will relent and restore us to His favors.

It is time to abandon consumerism and seek the Lord.
It is time for the rich man to open his eyes and see the Lazarus starving on his door steps.
It is time to bring an end to the culture of death and embrace the right to life from the womb to the tomb.
It is time to wipe out universally poverty, ignorance and disease.

"Seek always the face of the Lord.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!" (Psalm 105: 2 - 3).

The Lord is merciful and gracious.

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