Divine ways are not human ways

The expectations we might have for the action of God are given a shake in the readings from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today. The prophet Hosea comes to the understanding that the relationship of God to Israel is like the relationship of parent to child. From this insight he realizes that the severe anger of God towards Israel will not result in revenge, but the fundamental love will prevail. The critics of the understanding of the Divine relationship based on love, mercy and forgiveness often suggest that some laws and rules need to be respected. Matthew relates the discipline that Jesus gives His disciples as they go out to engage the people with the message of the proximity of the Kingdom of God. We are human creatures. Sign and symbol are ancient and intimate means to get our attention and explain our intention to others. The necessity of discipline and rules is meet human needs. Our thoughts and ways are not the thoughts and ways of the Divine.