Readings:
Hosea 4-6
John 14

Hosea 4-6

God accuses them not only of turning from him to idols, but also just a complete degeneration of morality and righteousness. There is so much sin in the land on an everyday basis that the land itself groans and the animals are suffering as a result. Sin has so many side effects that it is effecting the land.

God likens their sins to harlotry. They had a covenant with God but turned aside to go with others like a harlot goes with her latest customer. The thing that makes it even more like prostitution than we initially realize is that it’s all transactional. The people are going after these other gods not because they love them, but because of the promises of what they might get by sacrificing to the fertility god or the god of harvests or war.

But as with almost all the judgments that God proclaims, he promises that he will have mercy on those who turn to him with a contrite heart and amended ways. This is available for us too, the mercy of God is always on offer, at all times and in all places.

John 14

Jesus reassures the apostles and offers them encouragement by telling them to not be afraid. He reminds them that even though he’s going away they need to remember what he’s said about him coming back, both in three days time and at the end of the age, and he says these things because they’re hours away from their entire world being flipped upside down. When Judas returns with the temple guards, then they’ll need to remember these words from Jesus to help them make it through.

Jesus also promises them that after he’s gone from their presence and goes back to the Father, he’ll send to them the Holy Spirit to be with the, always. These particular verses will be of great comfort to them while they wait in the upper roof for the nine days between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday.

Jesus reminds them that he gives a peace that is different that the peace offered by the world. Here’s part of my book on the Mass about the sign of peace,

“Notice that Jesus makes a distinction between the peace that the world offers, and the peace that He gives. The peace that the world offers isn’t true peace, it’s a momentary absence of conflict. Just look at what’s commonly known as the “Pax Romana,” it was a time of less war, and less conflict, but it wasn’t absolute peace. The peace of the world is wrought by the strong subjugating the weak, it’s brought about by force, either political force or on the battlefield. It’s tenuous, it’s fragile, and it’s illusory. As soon as the enemies of Rome sensed weakness they invaded and sacked the city, bringing an end to the “peace” that the Roman Empire brought to the world. A peace, you will remember, that was enforced by a Roman governor, consenting to the brutal execution of a man he knew was innocent, all in the name of “keeping the peace” (See Mark 15: 15 & John 19: 12). Pilate was so concerned about a potential disruption of this fragile “peace” that he handed Christ over to be crucified. That’s not real peace. The peace of Christ is a peace that is unlike the peace the world offers, because it is permanent, it’s robust, and it’s substantially real. The peace that Christ offers is a peace that is quite literally out of this world. The peace of Christ is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4: 7).”

— The Beauty Of The Mass: Exploring The Central Act Of Catholic Worship by Charles S Johnston

Tomorrow’s Readings:
Hosea 7-9
John 15