Saturday of the Third Week of Lent March 20, 2004 Scripture: Hosea 6:1-6; Luke 18:9-14 Reflection: “In their affliction they shall look for me.” - Hosea 6:1 There was no memory of Yahweh, God. There was no praise for God among his people. There was no loving Him back. Israel’s God had withdrawn his presence from Israel to dramatize to them their misery without God. God would have to strip her (Israel) of the rich ornaments bestowed by her false lovers and thus bring her back to the true lover. What God offered them was memory of his fidelity in the ancient difficulties of their people. A humiliated Israel would again seek her first love. “Two men went to the temple to pray; the one was a Pharisee the other a tax-collector.” - Luke 18:10 The Pharisee was a good man. He was desperate to keep the rules and to remind God that he kept them. He gave reasons why God had to love him. The other man was certain that he was the one who had turned away from God, not God from him. He felt miserable without God’s closeness. Though he was not worthy he pleaded with God to come close to him again. He trusted God to be faithful to the way God loves even the sinner. He went home peaceful. Suggested Action: With Jesus looking right at you tell him face to face and as honestly as you can how embarrassed you are that you have been preoccupied with false loves and forgotten the one who loves you most. Ask him to take you back into his embrace. Sr. Rose Marie Mozzachio, IHM Scranton, Pennsylvania

Graphic: Sr. Mary Elizabeth Wallace, IHM