March 18, 2023, Saturday of the 3rd Week of Lent-A

Hosea 6:1-6

Psalm 51

Luke 18:9-14

“… for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Lk. 18:14

Lord, your parable in today’s Gospel makes a powerful contrast between a person of faith and a person of self-righteousness. I think at one time or another I have been both. The Pharisee was so busy patting himself on the back that he couldn’t see that you were the source of all he had. You loved him and gave yourself for him on the cross. Hopefully he came to faith later on and turned to you in humility and repentance. The tax collector clearly saw his sins and begged you for forgiveness. None of us can absolve ourselves of sin. Thank you so much for the great Sacrament of Reconciliation and your unlimited mercy.  It is the healing balm we need for our failures, our weaknesses and our bad habits. I pray I can receive the Sacrament of your mercy worthy and humbly this Lent. I don’t need to exalt myself because you do that for me. I pray that I am not far from the Kingdom of God. St. Patrick is a good model for us to follow in his perseverance and dedication to doing your work in our world.  Amen.