DAILY- HOMILY

MARCH 21, 2009
MEMORIAL, ST NICHOLAS OF FLUE, HERMIT
SATURDAY 3RD WEEK OF LENT – YEAR I

HOSEA 6:1-6
"Come, let us return to the LORD, it is he who has rent, but he will
heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. He will revive
us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in
his presence. Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain
as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the
light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that
waters the earth." What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with
you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that
early passes away. For this reason I smote them through the prophets,
I slew them by the words of my mouth; For it is love that I desire,
not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

LUKE 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own
righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the
temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax
collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to
himself, `O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity –
greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector. I
fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' But the tax
collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to
heaven but beat his breast and prayed, `O God, be merciful to me a
sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who
humbles himself will be exalted."

REFLECTION
Today's parable highlights the tension between self-righteousness and
being righteous in the sight of God. The danger of all religious
practices is that they can become an end in themselves. Once this
happens, a cycle of self-congratulation sets in, which subtly denies
the work of grace.

Jesus' affirmation of the tax collector's disposition teaches us much
about the interior life. The weakness of the Pharisee is his self-
deception. The strength of the tax collector is his self-knowledge.
The sin of the Pharisee is pride. The virtue of the tax collector is
humility. Self-knowledge is a gift from God. It protects us from a
false view of ourselves.

Humbly and realistically, we need to admit that we are poor creatures,
tempted to wrongdoing, frail and weak, constantly in need of inner
strengthening and consolation. This should not depress us. If it
offends, it is because we do not appreciate the truth of our
condition. The beauty of the tax collector is his humble acceptance of
his state before God. A patient who accepts the diagnosis of his
doctor becomes pliable to his healing touch. A patient who rejects the
diagnosis is harder to heal.

Let us ask God today to help us to understand our need and to grant us
a true knowledge of ourselves. If we can say to God in all sincerity,
"O God, be merciful to me, a sinner", then we are acknowledging God as
our creator and walking humbly before him.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the healing and strength of: Elena
… for the personal intentions of: Hernane B. Suede
… for the safety of Johnson Cuiting
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Remedios Ho. Eternal rest
grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she and all
the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Tyler Dee Villanueva
- In Memoriam (+): Patria P. Reyes
… for the healing and peace of all families

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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