Daily Readings - Sat Mar 26 2022
Hosea
1In their tribulation, they will arise early to me. Come, let us return to the Lord2For he has seized us, and he will heal us. He will strike, and he will cure us3He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, and we will live in his sight. We will understand, and we will continue on, so that we may know the Lord. His landing place has been prepared like the first light of morning, and he will come to us like the early and the late rains of the land4What am I to do with you, Ephraim? What am I to do with you, Judah? Your mercy is like the morning mist, and like the dew passing away in the morning5Because of this, I have cut them with the prophets, I have slain them with the words of my mouth; and your opinions will depart like the light6For I desired mercy and not sacrifice, and knowledge of God more than holocausts
Luke
9Now about certain persons who consider themselves to be just, while disdaining others, he told also this parable10"Two men ascended to the temple, in order to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector11Standing, the Pharisee prayed within himself in this way: ‘O God, I give thanks to you that I am not like the rest of men: robbers, unjust, adulterers, even as this tax collector chooses to be12I fast twice between Sabbaths. I give tithes from all that I possess.13And the tax collector, standing at a distance, was not willing to even lift up his eyes to heaven. But he struck his chest, saying: ‘O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.14I say to you, this one descended to his house justified, but not the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled; and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we hear powerful messages about humility, mercy, and the true nature of our relationship with God. In the first reading from Hosea, the prophet speaks of a people in distress, who, in their tribulation, turn back to the Lord seeking healing and restoration. Hosea emphasizes that true devotion to God is not about outward rituals but about a humble and sincere heart. The passage reminds us that God desires mercy and knowledge of His ways over external displays of piety.
In the Gospel reading from Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee, confident in his own righteousness, looks down on others, while the tax collector, aware of his sinfulness, humbly asks for mercy. Jesus makes it clear that it is the humble and contrite heart that is pleasing to God. This parable cuts through self-righteousness and reminds us that true faith is not about comparing ourselves to others but about recognizing our own need for God’s mercy.
Both readings remind us that our relationship with God is not about outward appearances or self-justification but about a humble, sincere heart. Hosea calls us to return to the Lord with genuine devotion, while Luke's parable shows that it's the humble who are exalted. In our daily lives, let us avoid the trap of self-righteousness. Instead, let us approach God with the humility of the tax collector, recognizing our need for His mercy and living with a heart open to His love and guidance.