Daily Readings - Sat Mar 30 2019
Hosea
15I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me.
1"Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.2After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.3Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."4What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.5Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light.6For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Luke
9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:10"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.12I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.'13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the virtues of humility and mercy, themes that weave through both the Old Testament and the Gospel. The passage from Hosea speaks of a people called to return to the Lord with sincerity and humility, recognizing their need for healing and restoration. Hosea emphasizes that true faith is not about outward acts of sacrifice, but about a deep, personal relationship with God, rooted in mercy and understanding. This call to humility is echoed in the Gospel parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee, caught up in his own self-righteousness, fails to recognize his need for God's mercy, while the tax collector, humbled by his sinfulness, cries out for forgiveness. Jesus makes it clear that it is the humble who will be exalted, not those who exalt themselves.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on the importance of approaching God with a contrite heart. Hosea's words remind us that true repentance involves acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking God's healing touch. Similarly, the tax collector's prayer in the Gospel is a powerful example of how humility opens the door to God's grace. Both readings challenge us to let go of pride and self-reliance, and instead, to embrace a posture of dependence on God's mercy.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they apply to our daily lives. How often do we, like the Pharisee, focus on our own accomplishments and fail to recognize our need for God's forgiveness? How can we, like the tax collector, cultivate humility and trust in God's mercy? Let us remember that true growth in faith comes not from outward displays of piety, but from a deep, inner transformation rooted in humility and a genuine relationship with God. May we seek to live in such a way that we may "live in his sight" and know the Lord more deeply.