＊＊＊1st Reading＊＊＊

Hosea 6: 1-6

Come, let us return to Yahweh.

He who shattered us to pieces, will heal us as well; he has struck us down, but he will bind up our wounds. Two days later he will bring us back to life; on the third day, he will raise us up, and we shall live in his presence. Let us strive to know Yahweh.

His coming is as certain as the dawn; his judgment will burst forth like the light; he will come to us as showers come, like spring rain that waters the earth.

O Ephraim, what shall I do with you? O Judah, how shall I deal with you? This love of yours is like morning mist, like morning dew that quickly disappears. This is why I smote you through the prophets, and have slain you by the words of my mouth. For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice; it is knowledge of God, not burnt offerings.

 

Ps 51: 3-4, 18-19,20-21ab

It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice. 

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Luke 18: 9-14

Jesus told another parable to some per­sons fully convinced of their own righteous­ness, who looked down on others, “Two men went up to the Temple to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 

The Pharisee stood by him­self and said: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people, grasping, crooked, adulterous, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give the tenth of all my income to the Temple.’

In the meantime the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast saying: ‘O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’

 I tell you, when this man went down to his house, he had been set right with God, but not the other. For whoever makes himself out to be great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be raised.”

  

Gospel Reflection：

In this parable about prayer, Jesus highlights the posture of the man as he prays. He remains at a distance, casting his eyes down and beating his breast which tells us of his physical and spiritual posture. The man knows who he is and where he stands before the Lord. he knows that he is great sinner.

So he comes before God with such humility and sincerity. He offers no excuses for his actions and for his life. He is simply honest before God and asks for forgiveness. This spiritual posture is matched with his physical posture. He stands at a distance, knowing that he is not worthy to go near before the Lord. he casts his eyes down and beats his breast.

The Lord Jesus reminds us to be humble and sincere in our relationship with the Father: humble enough to acknowledge who we truly are before Him, and sincere in approaching Him. Our attitude shown in our action matters before our God. our actions manifest who we are and, at the same time, show the kind of Christians that we are to others.