Greetings on this the Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Readings: Hosea 6:1-6; Psalm 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab; Luke 18:9-14
Summary
For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings (Hos 6:6).
There is a tight relationship between the need to say your sorry and the divine love rain.
“Love means never having to say you’re sorry,” a quote from 1970 film “Love Story”. Tomorrow is the Prodigal Son parable. Note the words are never said: I forgive you. Did he forgive him. Yes! Did the Son say a perfect act of contrition? No, not in words anyway. But as Father Brian said to me yesterday when I made a mistake at Mass, ‘God knows what you meant to do. Don’t give it another thought”.
Love is the most written about topic in all of human writings. I write with care as I do not possess the writing skills of the greats.
He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth. (Hos 6:3).
In our first reading today, the prophet Hosea reminds us of the prayer concept to “rain down‘. This figuratively expresses the nature of the divine love upon us. The rains for agriculture is a necessity (after all, another saying, All Sun makes a Desert) and the gentle rains make for the growth of food. The rains sustain us for drinking water as we need water to survive and thrive. Beyond the obvious physical needs for rain we need the divine love to rain upon us – to sustain our souls when we are good or not so good. Rain is broadcast – everyone benefits even if you get a little more than me, or I a little more than you – this moment in time.
When we seek rain in prayer, especially in the season of Lent, we desire the forgiving love of God to rain down on us, copiously and without reservation or condition.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn (PS 51:19). Our contrition and humility comes from the realization we squandered the love rain from the Lord either by dissipation or by acquisition. We wasted the rain and it soaked into the earth to be given again.
The rain of the love of God greatly surpasses the burning sensation of sin. A cooling balm!
Reflection
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 (Hos 6:3).
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else (LK 18:9). [contrasting the tax collector and the leadership] 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’. (LK 18:13).
Personal Reflection
Lord, I know you rain blessings down upon me every day. Many times I just let it flow away. Sometimes I even use an umbrella. Even worse, sometimes I use it against others!
But Lord I desire to be right with you and let the rain have its effects intended. Every single drop.
Put away the umbrella!
Rain down your love on me!
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032925.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry