It is helpful to know the situation prophet Hosea is addressing to the northern kingdom of Israel, Ephraim as well as Samaria. He prophesied that Israel would fall to the Assyrian forces. During the last 25 years of its existence, the northern kingdom suffered serious political upheaval. In the opening verses of Hosea 8, God denounces the people of Israel for setting up kings and princes of whom God did not approve - and for good reason! These kings set up idols for the people to worship and established shrines with rites that were not in accordance with the ordinances of Moses. In addition to these violations, the kings had forged alliances with foreign powers, putting their trust in military strategies rather than in God. These efforts would lead only to Israel's destruction, devoured by foreign powers into exile and slavery-this time in Assyria.

Today, Hosea invites us to consider the ways in which we have neglected our own religious practices and our lackadaisical attitude in the celebration of our Eucharist. We fail to make it central to our lives. On the other hand, Jesus invokes with urgency to pray for more collaborators in a synodal way to gather once more the fitting tradition of sharing and sincere dedication to the Lord's teaching. Where can we find the ultimate expression of our faith if not in the Eucharist?