Some verses from Hosea, some of which are included in today’s Old Testament reading: ‘I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be as the dew to Israel; he shall blossom as the lily, he shall strike root as the poplar; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow, they shall flourish as a garden; they shall blossom as the vine, their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon’.

All these words speak of the tender love of the Lord for all His creatures, each one of us, no matter what we have done. His forgiveness is always there, ready to meet us half way.

May we trust His promises, and know His love, His beauty, His fragrance. May He be specially close to you this day.