God is Spouse

July 7: Monday of Week 14 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Hosea 2:16, 17-18, 21-22; Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Matthew 9:18-28

Thoughts to help us surrender to Jesus expressing himself through us in ministry.

God is Spouse

You shall call me “My husband,” and never again “My baal.” Hosea 2:18

Women commonly called their husbands “Baal,” which means “lord, master.” It was also used for the fertility gods, the baals. Hosea calls us into spousal love with God, which is a mutual commitment to strive for unity of mind, will and heart.

All religions require submission to God. For Muslims the word “Islam” (from the Arabic root salema) means “submission to the will of God.” Many Christians, in practice, go no farther than this. But when Jesus quotes the “Great Commandment”— “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,” he adds, “and with all your mind,” which includes seeking to know God as spouses pledge to keep striving for perfect knowledge of each another (Mark 12:30).

We forget this. Even at Mass we keep calling God “Lord” when clearly addressing the Father (e.g. “You are indeed Holy, O Lord… for through your Son…”). We repeatedly emphasize adoration over intimacy.

Both are necessary, of course. But Hosea gives a radical image that can transform our whole relationship with God. He invites us to deal with God as spouse.

PRAY: “Lord, teach me your heart.”

PRACTICE: Think of what spouses pledge to each other. Do that with God.