Daily Readings - Sat Mar 18 2023
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 themes of humility, mercy, 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 emphasizes that true knowledge of God and a deep understanding of His ways are far more important than outward acts of sacrifice or piety. The passage reminds us that God desires mercy, not just ritual, and that our hearts must be open to His healing and transformation. The imagery of being struck down and then revived on the third day hints at the resurrection and the hope of new life in God.
In the Gospel, Luke shares the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, which starkly contrasts pride and humility. 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 justified before God. This parable challenges us to examine our own attitudes and prayers, urging us to approach God not with self-righteousness, but with honesty and humility.
Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not about outward appearances or comparing ourselves to others, but about a genuine, inward transformation. In our daily lives, we are called to seek God with sincerity, acknowledging our weaknesses and trusting in His mercy. Let us strive to cultivate humility, recognizing that true righteousness comes not from our own efforts, but from a deep relationship with God. May we, like the tax collector, approach God with hearts open to His grace, knowing that He lifts up those who are humble and contrite.