READINGS:

1 R : Hos 6 : 1 - 6.
Ps   50 :  3 - 4, 18 - 19, 20 - 21ab.
Gos :  Lk 18 : 9 - 14.

TODAY'S READINGS REVEAL THE RIGHT MANNER THROUGH WHICH WE CAN PLEASE GOD AND GET GOD'S FAVOURS.

IN THE FIRST READING GOD MAKES THE PEOPLE REALISE THAT THEIR LOVE FOR GOD IS LIKE A MORNING CLOUD AND LIKE THE DEW THAT GOES EARLY AWAY.

THEREFORE GOD DESIRES STEADFAST LOVE FROM THE PEOPLE AND NOT SACRIFICE; KNOWLEDGE OF GOD RATHER THAN BURNT OFFERINGS.

WHAT'S THE BASIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

LOVE AND SACRIFICE ?

LOVE IS ' PERSONAL '

SACRIFICE CAN BE IMPERSONAL.

TAKE FOR EXAMPLE PARENTS WHO ARE AWAY FROM CHILDREN.
THE CHILDREN LONG FOR LOVE, PRESENCE AND ACCEPTANCE.
BUT PARENTS FEEL THEY CAN OFFER SACRIFICE  ( NEW GADGETS, MONEY, CLOTHINGS AND GIFTS. )

TAKE ONE MORE EXAMPLE.

THE CHILDREN WHO DO NOT LOOK AFTER THEIR PARENTS IN OLD AGE OR EVEN HAVE NO TIME TO ENQUIRE AFTER THEIR HEALTH AND VISIT THEM, BUILD ' PALATIAL ' AND DECORATIVE TOMBS OF GRANITE AND PRECIOUS STONES.
THEY MAKE AN EXCLUSIVE SHOW OF GRIEF AND ' THEATRICS ' WITH BLACK/ WHITE SUITS SPECIALLY AND NEWLY TAILORED FOR THE FUNERAL.

ALAS ! OF WHAT USE THE DRAMA ???????????

PARENTS WOULD HAVE DESIRED  " LOVE " RATHER THAN " SACRIFICE " AND GRAND ' OFFERINGS OF FOOD AND DRINK ' ON THE FUNERAL DAY.

IN THE GOSPEL WE HAVE THE PRAYER OF THE  PROUD PHARISEE.  JESUS INTRODUCES HIM AS SELF- RIGHTEOUS,  RELYING ON SELF ALONE AND DESPISING OTHERS. HE HAS A SELF - CENTERED PRAYER . HE SEEMS TO HAVE CLAIMS ON GOD RATHER THAN LOVE OF GOD.

THE TAX COLLECTOR ON THE OTHER HAND IS ONLY AWARE OF HIS NEED OF THE  MERCY OF GOD.

JESUS PRAISES THE TAX COLLECTOR FOR HIS HUMILITY AND SIMPLICITY BY WHICH HE WINS GOD'S FAVOUR.

DID YOU GET THE RIGHT MANNER OF WINNING GOD'S FAVOUR ?

LET LENT BE A TIME OF REAL TRANSFORMATION.

 

 

 

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