It’s been a week of questions and speculations in the news. Is the economy really beginning to recover? Has there really been a drop in swine flu cases? And will Flintoff be able to play his final test series despite his injuries?
In this week’s readings in Hosea, God had his questions – how long would he have to wait for Israel to turn back to him? Yet he didn’t give up on Israel, he patiently pursued his people and was ready and willing to help them.
Do we feel like the economic gloom will never end, or that swine flu will only get worse? Perhaps we need to cultivate an attitude of perseverance, meanwhile being willing to help those we can.
Further afield, Bill Clinton swept in to rescue two captured US journalists in North Korea. Imagine the relief for those women at being freed!
Maybe this is a small glimpse of the dramatic rescue that God is offering to Israel. He wants to pull them out of their trouble, danger and sin, if only they will turn to him.
Above all, God is calling his people to a genuine relationship with him. He wants Israel to turn back to him, not because he has forced them to, but out of genuine repentance and love. He doesn’t want their empty sacrifices.
It’s interesting, then, that earlier this week Archbishop Vincent Nichols raised concerns about facebook and other social networking sites, suggesting they damage genuine relationships. Given this, these readings are a timely reminder of our need for genuine relationships built on love and trust, with each other and with God.
Susannah Clark
Friday 7 August 2009
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2 comments:
I agree with the need for genuine relationships but they most certainly can be formed online as well as face to face.
I agree with you there.
Actually I wonder if it is about time that we started to add that if there isn't an online aspect to a relationship it isn't complete?
We are humans and we exist both on and off-line; online is part of who we are. It isn't separate, but a genuine aspect of who we are.
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