Reflection for Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031712.cfm


In the first reading, the prophet Hosea provides us with the inner life of the tax collector in the Gospel at the time he was repenting of his sin.  

In Hosea, it is stated that God is the one who "rents" and "strikes" us when we sin.  The tax collector understood this.  He understood that his sense of guilt, as well as any other consequences that arise from his sin, are permitted by God as a manner of discipline.  It is not that God directly causes the discipline in our lives; rather, he allows the natural consequences, which flow from sin itself, to run their course; so that we will see from where we have fallen, and flee to God with repentance.

Hosea also says that God will "heal", "bind up wounds", "revive after two days", and "raise up on the third day".  In other words, he will be merciful.  The tax collector was confident of this, and his complete confidence in the mercy of God gave him the encouragement he needed to be honest before the Lord about his sin and misery.  Our God did not spare his Son, but freely gave him up for us all; therefore, we have every reason to be confident that God does not want to hold our sins against us, but longs to forgive them.

May God give us the grace to trust in his limitless mercy in Christ, so we will have the incentive to look honestly at our sin, and repent of it.