DAILY- HOMILY

APRIL 2, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST. FRANCIS OF PAOLA, HERMIT
SATURDAY 3RD WEEK OF LENT – YEAR I

Hos 6:1-6 / Ps 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21 / Lk 18:9-14

HOSEA 6:1-6
Come, let us return to Yahweh. He who shattered us to pieces, will
heal us as well; he has struck us down, but he will bind up our
wounds. Two days later he will bring us back to life; on the third
day, he will raise us up, and we shall live in his presence. Let us
strive to know Yahweh. His coming is as certain as the dawn; his
judgment will burst forth like the light; he will come to us as
showers come, like spring rain that waters the earth. O Ephraim, what
shall I do with you? O Judah, how shall I deal with you? This love of
yours is like morning mist, like morning dew that quickly disappears.
This is why I smote you through the prophets, and have slain you by
the words of my mouth. For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice; it
is knowledge of God, not burnt offerings.

LUKE 18:9-14
Jesus told another parable to some persons fully convinced of their
own righteousness, who looked down on others, "Two men went up to the
Temple to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The
Pharisee stood by himself and said: `I thank you, God, that I am not
like other people, grasping, crooked, adulterous, or even like this
tax collector. I fast twice a week and give the tenth of all my income
to the Temple.' In the meantime the tax collector, standing far off,
would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast saying: `O
God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' I tell you, when this man went down
to his house, he had been set right with God, but not the other. For
whoever makes himself out to be great will be humbled, and whoever
humbles himself will be raised."

REFLECTION
We should not think that the Pharisee in the Gospel story is a liar.
He was telling the truth when he enumerated the things that he did in
following the regulations of the law. So why was Jesus not
appreciative of his prayer? The problem with the Pharisee was his
pride – he boasted about his "righteousness," his having not done
anything wrong. He simply pleased himself, not God. He was praying in
the Temple but he was actually glorifying himself, not God. And what
made it even worse was that he passed wrong judgment on the tax
collector in order to raise himself up in the eyes of God.

How about the tax collector? In Jesus' time, tax collectors had the
reputation of being sinners. He was praying in the corner beating his
breast and asking for God's mercy and forgiveness, as he admits his
sinfulness. God, for him, is his only source of salvation.

Jesus appreciates the tax collector because of his humility. If we are
humble enough to admit our sinfulness, we are forgiven. The Pharisee
was law abiding and was proud of his good deeds. He did not need to
ask for God's mercy because he felt he was not doing anything wrong.

"I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6). God wants our
love and affection before he wants our obedience. No amount of
sacrifice or good deeds can make us pleasing to him, but a heart that
is open to Jesus and the salvation he won for us on the cross.

The things we do are very important to God, but on their own they can
never make us right with him.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Gabriela Garber, Bruce Clyde, Molly DeSimone, Nestle Joy Escaro,
Carol K., Lori Ramalho, Diane Hayes, Maria Martin Asunsion, Jody
Bruno, Gerald Stutts, Patrick Wheeler, Mike Grady, Fr. Patrick McHugh,
Robert Bohne Atticus, Charlie, Stephanie Boen, Deanne, Gerald
McClellan, Angela, John Sinclare, Honga Yap
- Jo Marcelo
- Jun Lee
- Tessa C. Yang
… for the personal intentions of:
- Mary Wong
- JP and Danica Nabua, Mei, Tito Nabua, Milo
… Thanksgiving: Dr. Marlye Angeles, Jazmine Lozada, Paco Maramag and
Paz Jose
… for the eternal repose of the souls of Josefina Hong. Eternal rest
grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and
all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Jason Roy Pacheco
- Birthday: Henry Tan
- In Memoriam (+): Norma Cruz
… for world peace and reconciliation.

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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