Hosea 14:2-10 / Mark 12:28-34
The truth can be so simple and clear, and yet we human beings have that ability to make it so sophisticated and blur.
When we look at all the troubles that our world and ourselves are facing, we may think that the problems are immense and beyond our control and there is nothing that we can do about it.
Take for example the problems of hunger in the world and poverty. We may think that there is nothing we can do about it.
But that would make the problem seem so sophisticated and difficult. But all problems actually have simple and clear solutions.
We hear in the 1st reading from the prophet Hosea and he speaks on behalf of the Lord : Israel, come back to your God; your iniquity was the cause of your downfall.
The problems and dangers that Israel was facing have a simple solution, and that was they must turn back to God.
Fundamentally, it means what Jesus said in the gospel : The Lord our God is the one Lod, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And you must love your neighbour as yourself.
Let the wise man understand these words. Let the intelligent man grasp their meaning. For the ways of the Lord are straight, and virtuous men walk in them, but sinners stumble.
Let us ask the Lord to forgive and cleanse us of our sin, so that we may walk in His truth and love Him and love our neighbour.