Like Foam...

~~~ Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12 ~~~ Psalm 105 ~~~ Matthew 10:1-7 ~~~

The king of Samaria shall disappear,
like foam upon the waters.

All that we know of in this world,
 where we exist shall disappear like foam upon the waters.
If you have ever walked along the beach
then you have most likely had the experience of seeing such a wave.
The power of the water carries the crest of the wave to the shore.
It looks impressive the larger the wave,
but as soon as it crashes against the shore it crumbles.
It quickly smooths out and merges into the remaining water.
Hosea is reminding the people that no matter how much power
 the king acquires it will not be long lasting.

 ...it is time to seek the LORD,
till he come and rain down justice upon you.

Any time is a good time to seek the Lord, but especially
when things are out of control.
Our Lord has power over the oceans and evil spirits.
He is the one who has the last word.
He is truth and justice.

Jesus sent out the twelve he chose
 to go about doing the hard work of conversion.
He intended for this task to be challenging...
they were not to go to 'safe' areas where they would be easily accepted.
Instead he wanted the apostles to seek those who were lost...
those who were in need of a physician.

Go rather to the lost sheep...

Seek always the face of the Lord.

If we make it a priority to first seek the face of God
 then everything will more likely be able to fall in place.

To seek the face of God implies that you acknowledge his existence.

It is not just the twelve closest to Jesus who have been called.
We too have been called; each of us for his purpose.

Just when we are tempted to think we understand the Lord
 he throws you a curved ball.

This could be illness, death, or divorce to name a few.
These too will disappear like
 the foam upon the waters.

You have been chosen by God...
Seek his face and you will be blessed with his strength.
~~~ Peace ~~~

Seek the Face of the Lord

~~~ Hosea 10: 1-3, 7-8, 12 ~~~ Psalm 105 ~~~ Matthew 10: 1-7 ~~~

Seek always the face of the Lord.

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.

Seek always the face of the Lord.

The response for the psalm today make for appropriate bookends for the gospel verse.

If you want to help others it is necessary for you to stay connected to the Lord.

When Jesus commissioned his disciples to heal and cure diseases,
it was his intention that they do so in his name. No one other than Jesus himself
 had the authority to give this power to another human.

Jesus knew it was time for him to start letting his closest disciples act on his behalf.
He was setting up the structure for his ministry to carry on in his absence.

Just yesterday we heard Jesus say that the people were suffering in part because
 they did not have enough shepherds.

We know from the accounts that in the days following the Resurrection

the disciples were indeed continuing the work of Jesus...

healing and curing the infirm.

They were on fire with zeal to carry on his good works.

They had a strong desire and commitment to keep his love alive within

the context of his ministry of healing.

As long as you seek the face of the Lord you have the ability to accomplish

great things; some of which may include healing.
I would speculate here that this gift would cease if the person began to believe
he/she had the power to heal alone.

If we are to stay the course and seek the face of the Lord,
then we must in the end trust that he will be there.

Recall how Peter was able to walk on the water as long as
he was looking to the face of the Lord, Jesus.

St. Paul confirms for us that we can indeed
do all things in him who strengthens us...
including casting out demons and performing certain healings.

Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord.
Let the light of his countenance shine down upon you.
How will you let the Lord use you today?