Homily Fourteenth Wednesday of Ordinary Time (Hosea 10:1ff) “God has a Bigger Plan”

Homily Fourteenth Wednesday of Ordinary Time (Hosea 10:1ff) “God has a Bigger Plan”

“Then they will cry begin saying to the mountains, “Fall on us,” and to the hills, ‘Cover Us.’  When we hear these words from the Prophet Hosea in today’s first lesson, we probably feel like they are very familiar.

We have probably heard them in the Gospel of Luke.  When Jesus is on the way to Calvary, he meets the women of Jerusalem and he utters these lines.  The women are crying and lamenting his fate.  He seems to be telling them that the worst is yet to come.  The destruction of Jerusalem was just a few years away.

Hosea, centuries earlier had made the same lament as he anticipated the nation of Israel’s fate.  The nation would be destroyed, and the people carried away to Babylonia to exile.

The line is also used in the Book of Revelation (6:16) as the writer anticipates the final things.  When the world ends there will be many travails and people will pray for the end to come quickly.

At different times in Judeo-Christian History scripture writers have anticipated tragedies that were to come or maybe they looked back and said, “We should have known better.”

We may express similar pessimistic sentiments today.  I heard of a poll recently where only 12% of Americans felt like the country was going in the right direction.  That is as low as it has ever been.

We remember that for a prophetic work to be authentic there must be a sense of hope.  We remember as we go through the present trial that we are not destined to remain in this world.  God has a bigger plan for us.  Our lives are anchored in eternity.  A better world is coming for all of us.  Christians are just passing through this world, so we are never without hope.

 Reflection Questions?

1. God’s people have gone through any number of traumas throughout the ages.  Am I able to keep the long view?  Or, am I caught up only in the here and now?

2. When I think about the end times, am I caught up in dread?  What is it, I fear?  What is it that uplifts my spirits?

Dear Parishioners,

          I went to the hospital to anoint one of our parishioners today.  We are living in a strange time.  The hospitals and nursing homes will only allow Fr. Matthew or I to visit if there is a specific request.  If you are admitted to the hospital while the virus is still raging, please make sure to tell the hospital staff that you would like to be visited and anointed. Then Fr. Matthew or I will be sure to come. I try to call and ask people if they need a visit when I find out they are hospitalized, but most of the time I do not get through.  Even if you tell me by phone that you want me to come, I can only get into the hospital or nursing home if you make a specific request.

          Remember to sign up for our weekend Masses if you are coming. If you decide at the last minute to come to Mass, there might be room.  If you forget to sign up or the spirit inspires you to come at the last minute, you may well be able to.  I share this conscious of the fact that those who are at risk should refrain from attending Mass. 

          May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints protect you.

          Fr. Mark