We must make a return for the great love God shows us.

Thursday, 7/21/16

Today’s readings make two requests of us. The first is that we love the Lord with a love like that between a young husband and a young bride. The second is that we show appreciation for God having showered us with more benefits than any other people has received.

Both here and in the story of Hosea the Lord likens his feeling toward us to a romantic love. In Hosea he says he will allure us, and he will lead us into the desert, and speak to our hearts. Here he recalls how he loves us with a love like that of a groom with his bride following him in the desert.

In the Gospel Jesus reminds us of how blessed we have been. “Many prophets and  

righteous people have longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did nt hear it.”

On the one hand, we have beautiful chapels and grand fellow worshipers. On the other we have fine transportation, air conditioning, and a choice of foods air-mailed here from all over the globe. We are embarrassingly well taken care of. Let us strive to adequately repay God for his great great favors.