Into the Wilderness
AMDG “I will go after my lovers,” she said, “who will give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.” She did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished upon her silver and gold that they used for Baal. Therefore, I will now allure her, and lead her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. From there I will give her her vineyards, and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she shall respond as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt. On that day, says the LORD, you shall call me, “My husband,” and no longer will you call me “My Baal (my master).” -Hosea 2:5, 8, 14, 16 I, a new man, to my siblings in Christ: may the abundant peace of God fill your hearts. I am home from my long retreat, as are (I hope) the 17 others who journeyed with me. Although I cannot and have no desire to explain everything that God revealed to me or all the graces w...