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40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday in the Third Week of Lent, 17 March 2023 Hosea 14:2-10 >>> + <<< Mark 12:28-34
More than any other prophet, O Lord, Hosea is the one who tells us most of your immense love for us all; his writing moves like a beautiful love story so unbelievable yet exists, so true. After so many harsh words against us your people for our infidelity like prostitutes, here at the last part of his book, Hosea tells us to never lose hope because you love us so much. Moreover, dear God our Father, what I like most in Hosea's writings is how you yourself reveals to us how we must approach you like a teacher coaching us for the best answers so we may pass your final exam.
Thus says the Lord: Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God, say to him, “Forgive us all iniquity, and receive what is good, that we may render as offerings the bullocks from our stalls
Hosea 14:2, 3
Please Lord, help us experience your promises of "healing our defections, loving us freely, becoming like dew so we shall blossom like the lily, our splendor be like the olive tree and fragrance like the Lebanon cedar, allowing us to dwell in your shade again and raise grain, blossom like the vine, and our fame be like the wine of Lebanon" (cf. Hosea 14: 5-8).
Cast away our doubts of your love and mercy for us, Father for as your Son Jesus Christ had revealed, all the commandments is summed in LOVE, your great love for us as the very reason why we must love you not because you need our love but so that we can have more of your love when we love. May we love, love, and love! Amen.
