March 26th, By Kathryn Pisklak: Sophomore

March 26, 2022
Kathryn Pisklak: Sophomore
Hosea 6:1-6/Lk 18:9-14
The First Reading is a criticism of those who only turn to God when they need God’s
help.  They are willing to put on a show of being humble to get something from God.  They start
performing religious activities to win God’s approval, but their humility is false.  They do not
want to be in relationship with God, they only want something from God.  Yet we, like the
people addressed in the First Reading, often turn to God to solve our problems.  We want action
from God rather than wanting to be in relationship with God.  We want God to do things for us,
but we don’t want to make a commitment to a long-term relationship with God.  We must not
judge others and their attitudes.  We are called only to look at our own correspondence and
spiritual relationship with God and see if we are seeking things from God or seeking a
relationship with God. Some of us in our life have one or two those conditional friends who only
need us when they need something. Those kind of friend’s flock around us just for what we
possess but they have no intention of being in a true relationship with us. How would you feel if
you that kind of friend in your life?
     The Responsorial Psalm reminds us that what we need is a contrite spirit and a humble
heart. This message is very true message during this Lent. The Lord Jesus wants us to humbly
come before God these 40 days and seek a closer relationship with God, a long-term
commitment to be one with God.  This includes admitting that we have not been as faithful in
deepening our relationship as we could have been.  It is when we are in relationship with God
that God will provide what we truly need and much more besides.
     When we are in a proper relationship with God, we will also know how we can be in proper
relationships with others.  In the Gospel parable, the Pharisee is centered on himself.  In his
“prayer” he uses the word “I” five times and mentions God only twice.  He focuses on what he
does, not who he is in God’s sight.  He is not praying; he is boasting about himself using prayer
as a guise.  He acts as if he is doing God a favor by his actions.  He seems to imply to God that
God needs him, not that he needs God.
The readings are telling us to come to God because we all long to see him. He will
always be there when we look for Him. God is always willing to forgive us even though we have
sinned against Him. But as people of God, we need to have a relationship with God. God doesn't
just show up, we need to search for Him. When the judgment day comes, we should not be
surprised, we should be ready. If you live with God and through His teachings, then you will
have eternal life.
 
God always tries to search for a relationship with us. But we must listen to Him when he
reaches out to us before it is too late. God is asking us to make space for Him in our lives. He
will always try to have a relationship with you. It is just us that needs to reach out to Him. All He
wants from us is to have a relationship with Him and live through his teachings.