A Penitent Blogger

Mindful of my imperfections, seeking to know Truth more deeply and to live Love more fully.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus? Cum vix iustus sit securus?
Recordare, Iesu pie, Quod sum causa tuae viae: Ne me perdas illa die...

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

The fruit of prosperity

In today's first reading (Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12), Israel receives many blessings from God, but devotes the fruits of these blessings to pagan worship.

Israel is a luxuriant vine
whose fruit matches its growth.
The more abundant his fruit,
the more altars he built;
The more productive his land,
the more sacred pillars he set up.


Their heart is false,
now they pay for their guilt...

What do we do with the blessings God gives us?

Do we squander the fruits of God’s blessings on the paganism of this age: consumerism, hedonism, or worse?

"Sow for yourselves justice,
reap the fruit of piety;
break up for yourselves a new field,
for it is time to seek the LORD..."