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Today's Readings
Reading I
Hos 6:1-6
“Come, let us return to the LORD, it is he who has rent, but he will
heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. He will
revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to
live in his presence. Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD;
as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth
like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring
rain that waters the earth.” What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that early passes away. For this reason I smote them
through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; For it
is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather
than burnt offerings.
Responsorial Psalm
51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab
R. (see Hosea 6:6) It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your
compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and
of my sin cleanse me. R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt
offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a
contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not
spurn. R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice. Be
bountiful, O LORD, to Zion in your kindness by rebuilding the walls
of Jerusalem; Then shall you be pleased with due sacrifices, burnt
offerings and holocausts. R. It is mercy I desire, and not
sacrifice.
Gospel
Lk 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their
own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to
the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax
collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer
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.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not
even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O
God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home
justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be
humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” |
