May the Lord give you grace and peace in the Holy Spirit.
It is on 18th March 2023.
We reflect on Hosea 5:15-6:6 and Luke 18:9-14.
Are we justifying or justified?
“Come, let us return to the Lord; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up.” (Hos.5:15).
God expects from us during this time of Lent honesty and genuine love towards God not appeasing attitudes. Mercy and love are to be boosted during this time more than ever and it needs to continue all through our life. Pretention and pleasing mentalities do pay the dividends of love.
St. Bernard beautifully puts it, “The measure of our love to God is to love Him without measure; for the immense goodness of God deserves all the love that we can possibly give to Him.” Self-praise separates us from God, diminishes humility to approach God and hardens our consciences.
The responsorial Psalm echoes the prophet, “What I desire is mercy, rather than sacrifice.” (Hos.6:6).
What we witness is the display of Mr Pride versus Mr Humility – Pharisee and Tax-collector. God is pleased with one and ignores the other. Our attitudes and actions either bring us closer to God or make us remain far from God. God is pulled toward sincere, honest, and humble hearts. We do not go to church to display our beauty, fame, and success but rather to expose our vulnerability and brokenness to God. God look at us differently and looks for love and mercy from our heart. “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Lk.18:14).
His Holiness Pope Francis teaches, “In life whoever believes himself to be just and criticises others and despises them, is corrupt and a hypocrite. Pride compromises every good deed empty prayer and creates distance from God and from others.”
May we return to the Lord not to boast but to bend down to learn from God. Have a lovely day. God bless you.