Practice faith

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today have a strong theme of faith. The action of the Prophet Hosea toward his unfaithful wife, Gomer, to attend to her and lure her into a second honeymoon, as commented by Friar Jude Winkler, is a model of trusting faith and it was used by the prophet to show Israel, who had not been faithful to the practice of her calling as Chosen People of the Lord, that God desires to reestablish a deep intimate relationship with His people. Commentators cite the acceptance by the people of the northern kingdom of Israel of convenient practices and influence of pagan culture and political alignment on weak kings as examples of how the Will of God for the people was being ignored. Hosea acts in his personal relationship with Gomer to call her back as he presents to Israel, who also has strayed, the invitation of God to return to an intimate and fertile relationship which will bring the grace and mercy of God who is described by the psalmist as slow to anger and of great kindness. Daniel Patrick O’Reilly concludes that “faith comes from practice” as he reflects on the two healing miracles presented by Matthew in the Gospel today. The synagogue leader Jairus ( who is identified in the account in the account from Mark 5:35-43)  has the faith to trust that Jesus can restore her life by His healing touch. The faith which, according to Friar Jude, saves the woman with the hemorrhage who touches Jesus cloak is one which heals her both physically and spiritually. Believing in miracles is a contest with doubt as Daniel Patrick O’Reilly confesses but our experience of miracles is a consequence of daily practice of trust in God.