Daily Readings - Sat Mar 13 2021
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of humility and our relationship with God. In the first reading from Hosea, we hear the prophet’s call to return to the Lord with sincerity and humility. Hosea speaks to a people who have wandered away from God, urging them to seek mercy and knowledge of God rather than relying on empty rituals. The passage emphasizes that true faith is not about outward practices but about a genuine conversion of heart. Hosea reminds us that God desires our love and humility more than sacrifices or grand gestures.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a parable that reinforces this message. The Pharisee, confident in his own righteousness, prays with pride, listing his accomplishments and looking down on others. In contrast, the tax collector, aware of his sinfulness, humbly asks for mercy. Jesus makes it clear that it is the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who goes home justified. This parable warns us against the danger of self-righteousness and the importance of approaching God with humility and honesty.
These readings remind us that our faith must be rooted in humility and a willingness to acknowledge our shortcomings. In our daily lives, we are called to examine our hearts and our prayers. Do we approach God with the same humility as the tax collector, or do we, like the Pharisee, rely on our own efforts and look down on others? Let us seek to cultivate a spirit of humility and sincerity, knowing that it is through this posture that we grow closer to God and find true justification.