SATURDAY IN THE 3RD WEEK OF LENT READINGS AND COMMENTARIES:
THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN.
(Lk 18:9–14).
SATURDAY IN THE 3RD WEEK OF LENT
MASS READINGS
1st Reading Hosea 6:1-6
Responsorial Psalm Psalms 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21AB
Verse Before the Gospel Psalms 95:8
Gospel Luke 18:9-14
READING I
Hos 6:1–6
In their affliction, they shall look for me: “Come, let us return to the Lord, For it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence. 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.” 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. For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; for it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than holocausts.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. It is steadfast love, not sacrifice, that God desires.
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
In your compassion blot out my offence.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
R. It is steadfast love, not sacrifice, that God desires.
For in sacrifice you take no delight,
burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit.
A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.
R. It is steadfast love, not sacrifice, that God desires.
In your goodness, show favor to Zion:
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
burnt offerings wholly consumed.
R. It is steadfast love, not sacrifice, that God desires.
VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
GOSPEL
Lk 18:9–14
He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 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. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 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.’ 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.”
GOSPEL COMMENTARY
- the Pharisee, who brags of his meticulous and external fulfilment of the Law, taking “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. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income’”; and the tax collector, or publican looked on as a public sinner (cf. Lk 19:7), who “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.’”
- The Pharisee’s prayer was not pleasing to God. Although he begins thanking God, it is not an authentic gratitude because his prayer is more of a boastful enumeration of his merits and good works. Worse still, he compares himself to others, despising them: a proclamation of his self-righteousness which has its root in pride which made him incapable of acknowledging his sins and thus loses the possibility of being pardoned by God. On the other hand, the publican approached God aware of his unworthiness and repentant for his sins. His humble attitude and prayer won God’s heart, praise and forgiveness as well.
(St. Josemaria, Furrow, n. 259).
“Prayer is the humility of the man who acknowledges his profound wretchedness and the greatness of God. He addresses and adores God as one who expects everything from Him and nothing from himself
(St. Augustine, Letter 118)
“If you ask me what is the essential thing in the religion and discipline of Jesus Christ, i shall reply: first humility, second humility and third humility.”
- In opposition to the arrogance and self-sufficiency of the Pharisee who boasted of his own works, the humility of the publican constitutes the authentic spiritual act of penance of the heart, of the interiority and sincerity of prayer which pleases the Lord. The publican received justification from God because of his humble repentance.
- Saint Augustine says:
- “The Lord is sublime and directs his gaze to humble things. Those who exalt themselves, like that Pharisee, he knows, however, from afar …Look closely at the humility of the publican. It is not enough to say that he stood in the distance, and did not even raise his eyes to heaven; in order not to be looked at, he avoided looking. He did not dare to look up; his conscience oppressed him and hope raised him … Pay attention to who is praying. Why do you wonder that God forgives when the sinner acknowledges himself as such? You have heard the controversy about the Pharisee and the publican, listen to the judgment. You heard the proud accuser and humble criminal. Listen now to the Judge: “Truly I tell you that that publican came down from the temple justified, more than that Pharisee” (Sermon 115, 2).
Stay safe and God bless, Fr. Rolly Arjonillo
10 MINUTES WITH JESUS PODCAST
VIDEO COMMENTARY
TOPIC: IS YOUR PRAYER PLEASING TO GOD?
Today’s readings revolve around our attitude when we pray to God. Hosea, in the first reading, speaking in God’s name said, “I want your constant love, not your animal sacrifices. I would rather have my people know me than burn offerings to me.” (v6). Our prayers and sacrifices to God will be meaningless to Him if our love for Him and for our neighbor is wanting.In the gospel reading, Jesus contrasts two people in the way they prayed. One blows his own trumpet of righteousness in prayer while being contemptuous of those who do not conform to religious standards, practices and morals. The other acknowledges his sinfulness and his constant dependence on God. He does not judge anyone but himself alone.
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