Come, let us return to the Lord

Hos. 5:15-6:6, Lk. 18:9-14. Prophet Hosea in the first reading presents a humble and sincere return to God as the primary aim of the season of Lent: "Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us." God is ready to bring physical and spiritual healing to anyone who is ready to make amend by returning to the Lord with a humble and contrite heart. The Tax-collector in today's Gospel, receives his spiritual healing when he turned to the Lord in humility while the Pharisee who faithfully obeyed the law to the smallest detail, justified his pious act went away empty. The Pharisee and Tax-collector went to the Temple to pray, but their approach to God was wholly different. The Pharisee offered a self-satisfied thanksgiving: "God, I thank you that I am not like other men...” The Tax-collector just asked humbly, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

What distinguished the Pharisee and the Tax-collector was the attitude of heart prompting them. We become prototype of the Pharisee when we are obsessed by our virtues and despise others based on our achievements. Everything the Pharisee did; "...I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get", were good but all his virtues were however, undone by his pride. He lacks humility and charity which are essential to attain a virtuous life: without these, there can be neither good works nor any virtue. Words become prayer when joined to a humble love and knowledge of God.

May the Lord grant us the gift of His mercy, pardon our sins and save us from eternal punishment! Amen!! Good morning and happy weekend!!!