Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 48:22-25
Mass: Hos 6:1-6; Resp Ps 51; Lk 18:9-14

Come, let us return to the Lord.

Jesus addresses 'those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.' St Benedict lists as a Tool for Good Works: 'Do not aspire to be called holy before you really are, but first be holy that you may be more truly called so' (RB 4:62). The Pharisee speaks to himself: 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity-greedy, dishonest, adulterous-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' Jesus says: 'Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? … Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother's eye' (Mt 7:3, 5).

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

May almighty God have mercy on us,

forgive us our sins,

and bring us to everlasting life. 

Amen.

(Penitential Act, Mass)

God of mercy and compassion, grant us the honesty and courage to beat our breasts beside the humble tax collector rather than blow our own trumpet beside the Pharisee. Forgive us the pride that refuses forgiveness, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Magnificat, Prayer for the Morning, March 30, 2019)