March 14, 26 – Saturday of the Third Week of Lent: Prayer, not a business Transaction

Daily Divine Word:

March 14, 26 – Saturday of the Third Week of Lent: Prayer, not a business Transaction

Hosea 6:1-6; Luke 18:9-14

Reconciliation is healing: The prophet Hosea, in the first reading invites people to return to the Lord. He assures that God desires steadfast love and not sacrifice. The people used to offer grain and wine to Ba’al. The Israelites thought they can satisfy God YAWAH with the same types of offerings. God does not need our material gifts. God is not for sale. He desires a change of heart. God heals our brokenness and binds our wounds. Repentance is not a litany of one’s mistakes but it’s reconciling one’s wounds, healing relationships and binding each other in love.

The Pharisee spoke to himself: In gospel, Jesus narrates two different kinds of prayers recited by the Pharisee and Tax Collector. The Pharisee spoke to himself, while the tax collector spoke to God. The Pharisee was self-absorbed and listed without fail all the good things he did. He justified himself by comparing himself with someone whom he thought is bad. He listed the sins that he did not do but fail to accept the errors that he might have done. He was blind to his own imperfections.

The tax collector spoke to God: His prayer was simple and was not too elaborate. He was precise and honest. He accepted himself as he was and was honest to God. He did not blame anyone. The tax collector stands tall for his honesty and goes home having received blessings from God.

Prayer, not a business transaction: God is not for sale. God’s blessings are merited, not bought. Prayer is not a business transaction instead its honest sharing with honest. Pharisee treated his prayer as a business transaction and when home having lost his deal. The tax collector prayed and went home having blessed.

Our Takeaway

1. Repentance is not a litany of one’s mistakes but it’s reconciling one’s wounds, healing relationships and binding each other in love.

2. The Pharisee spoke to himself while the Tax collector spoke to God.

3. Prayer, not a business transaction: God is not for sale. God’s blessings are merited, not bought.

Wilson SVD