1ST READING
If you have ever seen spring rain on the landscape, transforming a dry and barren winter grass to the new shoots of spring, you will realize what a powerful piece of imagery Hosea is using here. God’s love can bring life out of death. His love brings new life where the withered remnant of last year’s growth is lifeless. This is what the Holy Spirit can do for us if we surrender all to Him.
Hosea 6:1-6
1 “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. 2 He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence. 3 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.” 4 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. 5 For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; 6 for it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
P S A L M
Psalm 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21
R: It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
1 [3] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. 2 [4]Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) 16 [18] For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. 17 [19] My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (R) 18 [20] Be bountiful, O Lord, to Zion in your kindness by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem; 19 [21] then shall you be pleased with due sacrifices, burnt offerings and holocausts. (R)
GOSPEL
Humility will always call down the blessings of God. God will exalt the lowly and pull down the proud. Do you live a simple and humble life trusting in the Lord’s goodness to you or do you trust in yourself and make demands on God out of self-righteousness? Isaiah tells us that God hears the quiet voice of the humble person than of those who are full of self-importance.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Luke 18:9-14
9 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. 10 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 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. 12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 13 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.’ 14 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.”
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