Scripture: Sat. of 3rd week in Lent. Hosea 6:1-6. Psalm 51:3-4.18-19.20-21.
Luke 18:9-14. Lectionary # 243:

Both the prophetic words of Hosea and the powerful penitential prayer
of the Psalm 51 tell us that God desires steadfast love and not sacrifice
that is ritualistic. For us this may mean that God wants heart-language
from us that is honest, direct, and humble. Mechanical prayer or our
prayer rituals have to go deep into our hearts if they are to be heard by
God.

Luke gives us a parable about how to pray from the heart. The first
man does not do this whereas the tax collector who is considered a sinner
and also knows and acknowledges he is a sinner does pray from the depths of
his heart with great humility and reverence for God and for God's sacred
space in the Temple. The former justifies himself by telling God how good
he is in not sinning as an adulterer nor as a crook. He centers on his
outward observances and wants God to take note of them. He despises and
rash judges the tax collector while trying to make himself look better. He
is self-assured and is a "self made man." The only problem with such self
righteousness is that he has made his head too big! Meanwhile, in the
corner of the Temple, the tax collector has the heart and attitude of the
"poor of God"--the 'Anawim. He does not lift his head and proclaim his
virtues; he prays from the heart and says,
"O God, be merciful to me a sinner. The prophetic words of Hosea and the
inner dispositions suggested by Psalm 51 are easily recognized in this tax
collector. He has the right attitude about humble and heartfelt prayer and
as Jesus shows, this one is the one justified before God.

The tax collector's prayer is in the spirit of Psalm 51 and we too
are led to pray this Psalm slowly and with feeling on this Lenten day. Just
as God listens to the prayer of the tax collector, God will listen to our
prayer when it comes from a humble and contrite heart. "It is steadfast
love and not sacrifice, that God desires." (Psalm Response). Amen.