3rd Week of Lent
18th March 2023 (Saturday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Hosea 6:1-6
"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. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let 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." What 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. Therefore 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. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Psalm 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab (See Hosea 6:6)
R/. I desire steadfast love, and not sacrifice.
Gospel : Luke 18:9-14
At that time: Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The 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. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But 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!' I 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."
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Cannot swallow the shallow!
Indicative: Two real and ever-present dangers for any religion and devotion are shallowness and inconsistency. True piety must be steady and deep{alertSuccess}
1. Piety is essentially a matter of the relationship between God and humans. There is a profound contrast between the two. Depth and steadfastness mark God, while superficiality and disloyalty mark humans
2. God is a loving, forgiving, healing and giving God. In love, at times He disciplines and chastises His people. He heals what He has rent. He binds the wounds that were struck. He revives and raises us up soon. His judgment shines forth like the light of the day. He will come to us like the spring rain that waters the earth
3. But on the contrary, the piety of the people is so passing and unsteady like a morning cloud and the dew. These shallow people substitute love with mere sacrifices and the knowledge of God with burnt offerings
4. Further, shallow piety is marked by self-righteousness. This is typified by the Pharisee in the gospel parable of Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisees failed on all counts. He failed before God because there was no gratitude, dependence, or closeness or surrender. He failed toward others because he labelled, despised and condemned others. He also failed concerning his own self because he had a false image of himself, lacking in humility
5. On the other hand, the tax collector’s prayer was humble. It won God’s mercy. He may not stand near the altar like the Pharisee. He may not have eloquent words to pray. He may not know any formal techniques or steps of prayer. But he was close to God by heart. He had the best of words to pray in humility and repentance. He knew the best technique of prayer, and that is prayer of heart
Imperative: There is a subtle demarcation between righteousness and self-righteousness. We would do well to guard against self-righteousness. Humility and surrender are the best remedies{alertSuccess}