March 30, 2019 Saturday of the 3rd Week of Lent-C
Hosea 6:1-6
Psalm 51
Luke 18:9-14
…a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. Ps. 51:19
“O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Lk. 18:13
Lord, I try not to judge other people. I can’t look into their hearts like you can. At the same time I definitely don’t want to be judged by anyone but you. Everyone who hears this gospel agrees that, based on their words and actions, the heart of the tax collector is more sincere in his prayer than the Pharisee. I know, at times, I can be blind to my own sin but so conscious of the sins of others. Help me to offer my own brokenness to you. It helps to look at you on the cross. I don’t deserve what you did for me on Calvary. There is no way I can earn the mercy you offer to me. Give me the humility to open my heart to you so I can experience your forgiveness and go home justified like the tax collector. Guide me to be more merciful to others and not to judge them. Show me the way to give them a break and the benefit of the doubt. I want the contrite and humbled spirit that is in the psalm today. “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Amen.