COME LET US RETURN BACK TO THE LORD (Hosea 6:1-6/Psalm 51:3-4,18-19,20-21/Luke 18:9-14)

COME LET US RETURN TO THE LORD

(Saturday March 30, 2019)

One thing that goes with absolution and forgiveness of sins is the ability to acknowledge one’s sins and say "I am sorry Lord" Those who find it very difficult to acknowledge their sins find it very difficult to confess and say sorry. Like the parable of the prodigal son, when the young man came to his senses, he acknowledged how he offended the father and he said "I will go back to my father" this going back is indeed a determination to say sorry father that I have sinned against you. A good confession we make anytime any day is a determination to swallow our pride and give room for humility. It is a determination that we want to love God above all else. It is a determination that we want to jettison sins in our system and fill our system with the practice of virtues.

The first reading of today presents us with a true picture of the entire nation confessing their sins and coming back to the Lord for soothing and healing. A nation who wants to amend their wicked ways and live.The reading goes thus "Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us; He has struck us down, but he will bandage our wounds; after a day or two He will bring us back to life, on the third day He will raise us and we shall live in His presence. Let us set ourselves to know the Lord; that He will come is as certain as the dawn” (Hosea 5:15-6)

As a follow up to this reading, the Church deemed it fit to place this reading alongside the responsorial psalm which is confession of King David after his grievous sins against God and humanity" and it reads " 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. 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. In your goodness, show favour to Zion: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, burnt offerings wholly consumed" To summarize the necessity of humility when we come before the Lord Christ told the parable of two men who came before the Lord to present their requests. One was a Pharisee who was full of himself trying to present to God how righteous and pious he is and at the end of his prayer, made a mess of himself as a result of pride.

Christ therefore praised the humble attitude of the tax collector known to the public as a first grade sinner, who, out of humility never wanted even to come closer before the Lord as a result of his sins and from afar, confessed his sins and asked for forgiveness. Christ said" The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner" Finally, Christ left us a word of admonition after the parable saying "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted"

Therefore dear brothers and sisters, the journey of Lent is indeed the journey that reminds us how good and pleasant it is to bring ourselves low, to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ in His humility and obedience, who out of His love for us accepted to suffer and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Let Us Pray: Lord Jesus, be merciful to me and give me a heart of humility so that I will always strive to do your will and praise your name. Amen.