We hear the prophet Hosea in our first reading. God is luring Israel into the desert. God wants to bring her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. Then she shall respond as in the days of her youth. This can be a tough time of year for us.
Winter continues to drag on and the thrill of the first beautiful snowfalls is pretty well over.
It's only then that we will increase our satisfaction and happiness. If we are praying, it should be with all the fervor and spirit we can offer. But is this not in the tradition. Isn't the whole of the history of God's people one of God calling and reminding. We hear it in Hosea and the prophets.