Homily for Thursday in the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Memorial of Saint Peter To Rot), delivered at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Gladstone, Qld.

"Thus says the Lord: When Israel was a child I loved him,
and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called to them, the further they went from me; they have offered sacrifice to the Baals and set their offerings smoking before the idols. I myself taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in my arms; yet they have not understood that I was the one looking after them. I led them with reins of kindness, with leading-strings of love. I was like someone who lifts an infant close against his cheek; stooping down to him I gave him his food. Ephraim, how could I part with you? Israel, how could I give you up? How could I treat you like Admah, or deal with you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils from it, my whole being trembles at the thought. I will not give rein to my fierce anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again, for I am God, not man: I am the Holy One in your midst and have no wish to destroy." (cf. Hos 11:1-9).

"Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils... And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet." (cf. Mt 10:7-15).

Artwork: Illustration of Hosea and Gomer from the Bible Historiale, (1372).