Daily Readings - Sat Mar 30 2019
Hosea
15I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
1Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.2After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.3Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.4O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.5Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Luke
9And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon 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 every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall 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.