Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Hosea tells a story about God’s love. God cherishes all people despite the tendency for us to turn away or ignore God’s nurturing attention. Since we are made in God’s image, God is able to see our goodness. It is this loving God that draws us close, surrounds us with tenderness, and looks beyond our brokenness. God then invites us to do the same, as we are all called to cherish one another.
In today’s first reading from Hosea, God is described as a loving parent. The images that are used are tender. God fosters His people “like one who raises an infant to his cheek.” (Hs 11:4) The image of a child held close to one’s face sharing both breath and touch reveals a deep, intimate connection. This close relationship is not shaken even as people turn from God by worshipping other idols and ignore God’s tenderness. Instead of anger, God’s “pity is stirred.” (HS 11:8) God has the power to destroy, but is restrained because “I am God and not man. The Holy One present among you.” (Hs 11:9) God’s overwhelming mercy, compassion and love remain. God continues to cherish and stand among the people opening arms to draw them close.
The concept of being cherished was brought to my mind after reading Fr. Greg Boyle’s book, Cherished Belonging. In the book, the author highlights the tender love of God and reminds the reader how each of us is cherished and is called to cherish others. Boyle’s premise is that: “God is love and IS inclusion.” From his personal relationship with God and his many relationships with gang members at Homeboy Industries, Fr. Boyle believes that there are 2 overarching principles to base our living, working, and being: “Everyone is unshakably good (no exceptions) and We belong to each other (no exceptions.)”
In order for us to be people who cherish others, we must first recognize how we are cherished. It may be difficult to fathom, but just as the first reading describes, God draws us close just “like one who raises an infant to his cheeks.” (HS 11:4) God loves us and our “unshakable” goodness even when we may falter or turn away. God stands with us and in us to always cherish us even in our brokenness. When we can believe in this truth of deeply being cherished, we are more capable of cherishing others.
In his book, Fr. Boyle promotes the concept that no one is bad or evil, but unhealthy or not whole. Since we belong to each other, we are called to be “wholemakers- those who gently accompany each other toward a more whole sense of well-being.”(Ilia Delio) The love and nurturing we offer to others helps them belong, and also brings them healing and wholeness. Boyle has witnessed these transformations within the many people he has encountered at Homeboy Industries. He explains, “Being cherished helps you integrate your traumatic memories so they can become less dissociating.” He explains, “Love promotes well being. It wants what God wants: wholeness for everyone” (Boyle)
Fr. Boyle holds the premise that “A community of cherished belonging is God’s dream come true.” What would it look like if we could bring this cherishing of others to our church, our society, our nation and our world? Are we willing to believe that we belong to each other, and we are called to help each other find wholeness?
Cherishing God, help us to trust in your deep love for us and share this love with others. May this love bring us wholeness and finally home to You where we will all belong now and forever. AMEN
—Marylynn Herchline