14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

We shall say no more, “Our god,” to the work of our hands. 

Israel was a small prosperous nation, an unlikely beacon of God’s faithfulness and provision in a region rampant with idolatry. The people experienced God’s care in very tangible, identifiable ways. Speaking through the prophet Hosea, God said, “It was I who gave [Israel] the grain, the wine, and the oil, I who lavished upon her silver, and gold” (2:10). But the temptation to imitate their even more prosperous neighbors was strong. They began to turn the very things that they had received from God—including the silver and gold—into idols. How tragic!

In today’s first reading, we hear God’s plea to his chosen people: “Say no more, ‘Our god,’ to the work of [your] hands” (14:4). God longed for the Israelites to restore their relationship with him, and this included honoring him and not Baal or anyone else.

While we are unlikely to fashion a physical idol out of silver or gold as the Israelites did, Hosea’s words can still strike a chord with us. How often do our own efforts—our studies or jobs or our daily sense of accomplishment—act as a sort of idol in our lives? For many of us, what we produce impacts our sense of self-worth and confidence. Our accomplishments can even become the source of our security and power.

Of course, our talents and ability to work are blessings. But the “work of our hands” is God’s gift to us and to other people. It’s not meant to make us appear great but to give glory to the Lord. This means that while recognition and praise from others feels good and accomplishments can give us satisfaction, we should keep our gaze on the Lord. This will help us remember that all our blessings—our job, a particular set of skills, our education, even our physical strength—come from God: “Because of me you bear fruit!” (14:9).

So acknowledge God as the source of your blessings today. Thank him for the gift of his Spirit, for his life in you, and for your ability to give him glory through your work.

“Lord, I worship only you. May the work of my hands give you glory today.”

Hosea 14:2-10
Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17
Matthew 10:16-23