Hosea – Chapter 3

Old Testament5 Verses

1And the Lord said to me: Go yet again, and love a woman beloved of her friend, and an adulteress: as the Lord loveth the children of Israel, and they look to strange gods, and love the husks of the grapes.

2And I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for a core of barley, and for half a core of barley.

3And I said to her: Thou shalt wait for me many days: thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt be no man's, and I also will wait for thee.

4For the children of Israel shall sit many days without king, and without prince, and without sacrifice, and without altar, and without ephod, and without theraphim.

5And after this the children of Israel shall return and shall seek the Lord, their God, and David, their king: and they shall fear the Lord, and his goodness, in the last days.

Reflection for Today

Hosea Chapter 3, containing 5 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 2683). Here the emphasis falls on lectio divina and meditation on God's Word, which shapes how the Church understands God's faithful love despite Israel's unfaithfulness.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of lectio divina and meditation on God's Word bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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