Reflection on Today’s Readings, Saturday of 3rd Week of Lent B, March 9th, 2024
Texts: Hosea 6:1-6; Psalm 51:3-4,18-21; Luke 18:9-14 

Prophet Hosea invites us to have confidence in God. Hosea sees hope even in bad times. He says, “Come, let us return to the  Lord; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.” He believes that bad time will give way for good time. Bad time anticipates good time. 

When we are torn, healing is coming. When we are stricken, binding up is coming. Hosea also talks of revival in two days and resurrection on the third day. All we have to do is to return to God. Hosea says, “Let us know, let us press on to know the  Lord; his going forth is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." Bad time should not make us despair but we should continue to seek the Lord. 

Without humility we cannot acknowledge our faults 

God invites us to be constant in our love for Him. He notices that our love does not last, it quickly fades. In His words: “Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes ear.” He adds, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.”  

Our Lord Jesus Christ invites us to humble ourselves. He says, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." Without humility we cannot acknowledge our faults and ask for mercy. The tax collector humbled himself, acknowledged his sins and begged for mercy. In his words: “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” 

He tears us in His anger but not forever

The message, today, is that we should have confidence in God. The anger of the Lord does not last. He tears us in His anger but not forever. He tears us not because He hates us but that we may return to Him and be healed. If He has stricken us, it is not because He hates us but that He may bind us up. Let us approach Him in our weakness and He will strengthen us. If we approach Him in our sinfulness, He will pardon us our iniquity.  

Prayer 

Rejoicing in this annual celebration of our Lenten observance, we pray, O Lord, that, with our hearts set on the paschal mysteries, we may be gladdened by their full effects. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke