A PRAYER PLEASING TO GOD
The tax collector "goes home justified" because he seeks God with humility rather than with pride, and has true sorrow for his sins.Are you and I humbly seeking God's mercy, and showing mercy to others, especially those we find difficult to be with?
The first reading today contains a prayer that God speaks through the prophet Hosea, and which He intends for most of the people in Hosea's community: "For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than holocausts" (6:6). It would be good to take some time today and truly reflect upon this reading.
Today's responsorial psalm is the most recited of all the penitential psalms. This psalm can be seen as the response of Israel in captivity to Hosea's prophecy: "My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; / God does not spurn a broken, humbled heart" (51:19).
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus' parable speaks about the nature of prayer and our relationship with God. Jesus does this by contrasting two very different attitudes towards prayer. The Pharisees represent those who take pride in their religious practices, and who exalt themselves at the expense of others. Absorbed with his own sense of self-satisfaction and self-congratulation, the Pharisee's prayer is centered on himself rather than on God. On the other side of the coin, the tax collector humbles himself before God and begs for mercy. The tax collector "goes home justified" because he seeks God with humility rather than with pride, and has true sorrow for his sins.
Some questions to think about during our reflection time: How is Lent going for me? Has it been easy to enter this time of year or has it been difficult? And why is it going like this for me? Where I am is okay. Each day is a new beginning on this journey of ours. If I am struggling, I can look to the prophet Hosea, which is why it is a good recommendation really to spend some time meditating on this reading. Hosea gives us two things on which to focus our attention and efforts. First, he calls us to be persons of steadfast love. We can express steadfast love by being part of our Church community and reaching out to someone in need, or just by doing something special for a family member or friend. Second, Hosea calls us to a deeper knowledge of God, not simply to know about God, but to know our heavenly Father, to be in relationship with Him. We need to be aware of His presence in our daily lives.
Are you and I humbly seeking God's mercy, and showing mercy to others, especially those we find difficult to be with?