Signs of the Times  

   You're becoming impatient, my dear children, I see
      For events prophesied which are not yet to be.
   The words that were written in the Book of Revelation
      Apply to none other than to this generation.

    Your timing and God's may not coincide,
       But God what is best for your soul must decide.
     If more time is needed to save just one soul,
        Then allow, my dear children, God this time to control.

    Some events that are pending you would also postpone,
       Until you had the time for your sins to atone.
    And that is the reason God does choose to extend
       His time so that mankind can for their sins amend.

    If you wish in God's plan to participate, 
       Then pray as I asked you and then patiently wait.
    Accept all that God to you is assigning
       And submit to His will including His timing.


   
    (The Reading from the Book of the Prophet Hosea is structured as call and response.  Hosea calls the people to return to the Lord, in whom "The orphan finds compassion."  In response, God declares, "I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them."   Thus, is the life-giving love of God--"a verdant cypress tree"--proven once more.)

   "THUS SAYS THE LORD:

    Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God;
        you have collapsed through your guilt.
    Take with you words,
        and return to the Lord;
    Say to him, "Forgive all iniquity,
       and receive what i good, that we may render
       as offerings the bullocks from our stalls.
    Assyria will not save us,
       nor shall we have horses to mount;
    We shall say no more, "Our god,"
       to the work of our hands;
       for in you the orphan finds compassion."
    I will heal their defection, says the Lord,
         I will love them freely;
         for my wrath is turned away from them.
    I will be like the dew for Israel:
         he shall blossom like the lily;
    He shall stike root like the Lebanon cedar,
        and put forth his shoots.
    His splendor shall be like the olive tree
       and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar.
    Again they shall dwell in his shade
       and raise grain;
     They shall blossom like the vine
       and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon...
    Ephraim!  What more has he to do with idols?
       I have humbled him, but I will prosper him.
      "I am like a verdant cypress tree"--
           Because of me you bear fruit!

     Let him who is wise understand these things;
         let him who is prudent know them.
     Straight are the paths of the Lord,
        in them the just walk,
        but sinners stumble in them."
                                              Hosea 14:2-10



   Be sure to listen to todays sow--after Fr. M.Martin is important info about these times we live in and how they relate to Our Lady's message at La Salette 150 years ago--part of the message is read!