DAILY- HOMILY

05 March 2016                       

Saturday, 3rd Week of Lent

Violet.       

Hos 6:1- 6 / Lk 18:9 – 14

From the 1st Reading: Hos 6:1 –2, 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. . . .

For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice; it is knowledge of God not burnt offerings.

Gospel Reading: Lk 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

In the first reading, God chastises people who turn to Him temporarily in repentance but often go back to their old sins and infidelities.  If we are unfaithful to God, He will be disappointed.  A true follower of Christ remains true to his convictions in both good and bad times, in trials and temptations.  He chooses God's path even when it is not popular and does God's will even when it is not convenient.  It is not right to "do our lives" Mondays to Saturdays and think about God for just an hour on Sundays.  We are called to seek God in the daily events of our lives.  

To pray with humility is the message of the gospel.  A proud person does not know God.  God manifests Himself only to the humble, the simple and the kind-hearted.  Why must we be humble?  Because we are all great sinners like the publican in the gospel.  Unless we have discovered this fact, we can never pray properly.  The one who truly prays sees the big difference between himself and the all-good and loving God.  He stays at the back of the church on bended knees and bowed heads and begs for God's mercy.  Yet he has an advocate, a mediator, who is Jesus Christ.  That is why we pray to Jesus who has manifested the goodness and mercy of the Father.  Let us pray with humility to God our loving Father.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

THANKSGIVING

     LCPI Directors, Management & Staff & 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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