Daily Readings - Sat Mar 26 2022
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 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.