REFLECTION ON HOSEA 6:1-6
DANI RUANTO
Hosea 6:1-6
1 “Come, let us return to the LORD, it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. 2 He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence. 3 Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.” 4 What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away. 5 For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; 6 For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Let’s get real...
I was raised Catholic by my mother. She put me through my Sacrament prep classes and I was Confirmed by 14 years old. I went to Mass every Sunday and even participated in some Filipino church fellowship activities. It was cool, I guess. Being raised by a single parent had its challenges but thankfully I always had my hobbies to turn to when I needed to relax.
One particular hobby I found the most joy in was singing in my parish’s choir. At the time, I was convinced that my faith life at 14 to 16 years old was strong and the music sounded good because of it.
When my beloved music minister left after three years, showing up to choir was difficult. Before I knew it, I was 18 and no longer practicing Catholicism. I put myself through cycles of unchaste sin and addictions, lost my scholarships to GCU, and underwent severe situational depression because of a deathly toxic boyfriend.
When I look back, I realize my actions were a cry for help from never fully healing from my parents’ separation. I also realized music was not supposed to be my “savior”, that I was going through the motions of mass and music ministry during my time in choir.
The passage in Hosea explains exactly these two points: 1) penance then healing, and 2) the importance of not going through the motions when living out your faith.
Penance Then Healing
All of that stuff that happened to me s-u-c-k-e-d. I do not deny one bit that God was teaching me to finally rely on Him and Him alone through all my trials. And, boy, did I have a plethora of trials and vices (I still do). In a way, I saw these challenges as my penance, but this was after I had come to the realization of God’s love for me.
After finally encountering the Lord truly and fully through true fellowship and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, I knew wholeheartedly my identity as a daughter of God. Freedom, peace, and security, but mostly love had always been waiting for me. Despite the loving lessons I had to learn, despite being struck by the Lord’s hands, my wounds were bound up by him too (Hos 6:1). The Lord is our healer and He is ever waiting for you to lay your pain at His feet.
Don’t Go Through the Motions
In verses 4-6, Hosea kind of complains about Judah’s and Ephraim’s righteousness or piety; the way they show they are doing their best for the Lord. He compares these tribe leaders’ faith to a morning cloud, a dew that early passes away. Their dedication is strong but only for a few moments in time.
I’ll admit there are times in my faith life where I get a spiritual high. Whether it’s a retreat, Adoration, or a great praise and worship session, it feels refreshing and energizing! We need to realize that these experiences of Christ are holy, and when you just “do it to do it” (like I sang in my choir just to sing) with no regard for the gravity and immensity of God’s love poured out to us through his Spirit, that’s when you go through the motions. Our goal is to always have Jesus with us in our daily lives so that we may get to Heaven, but how do you not leave Him at the altar or church building? How do you bring Him down with you after that wonderful weekend in the woods?
Well, if you ever start to feel like you’re going through the motions, recall the first time you encountered the Lord. What was it about that moment that enabled you to let Him enter your heart? What parts are you reluctant to let Him into? Could you open up like that again to Him right this very moment? He certainly wants you to. Is there a part of our Catholic tradition that you need to find out more about? Ask your Core team or your pastor. If you haven’t encountered the Lord yet, that is totally fine; start seeking to find Him in the places you have heard His love resides. The Sacrament of Confession and the Eucharist are a beautiful way to start.
I’ll Leave You With This
We’re all works in progress with our own trials and vices. We are sinners and orphans waiting to be healed over and over again and the Lord delights in our unceasing effort to seek His love and mercy. Do whatever it takes for the God who did whatever it took for a chance to win your soul. Let Him rend, let Him strike, but let Him patch you up and bind your wounds.