Hosea was not afraid to use maternal and feminine images to describe God's relationship with Israel. God treated Israel as a mother would treat a child - with tenderness, love, and kindness. What was Israel's response? Infidelity! Israel behaved with injustice and idolatry. People can be very fickle and ungrateful; perhaps we have even at times been so. Those with children might recall how ungrateful children can sometimes be. But God does not give up, and God is not bent on punishment. Perhaps we should be more open to the tenderness and maternal care of God rather than always expecting the worst. We should also extend that kindness and tenderness to others.

God's tender kindness was evident in the mission Jesus gave to his followers. They were to go to the house of Israel and proclaim the good news - the kingdom - while blessing and healing. There was a real urgency in their mission, for they expected a momentous change at any time. Perhaps we don't have such a sense of urgency, but the needs of our own time are no less pressing. Many long for words of hope and encouragement. They need to know that God is near and cares. That is still our mission. Jesus told them not to worry if their message was rejected - they were just to keep moving. The job of the Christian is to proclaim and serve, not to force the message on people. The word of God is never just for oneself, but for the common good and the salvation of souls.