Hosea 6:1-6
Psalm 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab
Luke 18:9-14
Recently a volunteer from a parish went to visit a man in jail. The two had never met, but the volunteer carried the love and support of the parish community and the hope that the prisoner would join them again once he was dismissed.
The prisoner was polite, but so full of talk about his innocence and need to say that he was not like the rest of his jailmates that he never really received the interest and concern of the volunteer. He was not ready to receive that support. The prisoner lost out and the volunteer went away disappointed.
We have a similar, but positive, remembrance in the gospel when at the crucifixion of Christ, the "good thief" acknowledged his guilt and request for acceptance. Christ instantly rewarded him with a promise of paradise. Today's gospel is more like the first accounting. The Pharisee felt that he was better than everyone else, especially the tax collector.
We have to ask ourselves, which person do we identify with, the tax collector or the Pharisee? Are we open to acknowledging our faults and sins, or are we full of pride and falsely assured of our own righteousness?
Lenten Blessings,
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo - Australia
