Thus says the LORD: I will espouse you to me forever: I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the LORD. (Hosea 2:21-22)
We are now in the Summer of the Prophets . . . today we begin the reading of the book of the Prophet Hosea. Hosea is probably the most erotic of all the prophets. The “prophetic actions” that God requires of the prophet are beyond anything that other prophets are asked to do.
When the LORD began to speak with Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: Go, get for yourself a woman of prostitution and children of prostitution, for the land prostitutes itself, turning away from the LORD. (Hosea 1:2)
The prophet obeys and in the process allows his own heart to be broken. Of course, the lectionary-makers in Rome omit all the essential passages. I always recommend using your Bible to check out the verses that are omitted. Sometimes you can find some real surprises!
