The passage from the Book of Hosea is part of an oracle, that is a farsighted view with an authoritative saying. It forewarns the people that as the nation becomes richer, the number of idolatrous rituals is also increasing. More "altars" and "sacred stones" are being set up to foreign gods. The "heart" of the people of Israel is, once again, divided. If it continues with its worship of foreign gods, a great disaster will befall the nation. The destruction will be so cruel and complete that the people will "cry out to the mountains, 'Cover us!'" (v. 8).

Jesus came to set the people of Israel free from the bondage of sin and to turn their hearts totally to God. He summons His twelve disciples and makes them His co-workers. He confers authority on them to perform exorcisms and healing. The Twelve become not only the original followers of Jesus, but also, the first leaders of the Church. In the beginning, the disciples' mission, which is to replicate and extend the mission of Jesus in preaching the coming of God's kingdom, is limited to the "lost sheep of the House of Israel". They are to avoid entering into cities of non-Jews and Samaritans. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the mission to the latter began. God continues to call His people back to Himself. In the frenzied pursuit of riches, can we hear His summons?