Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
March 18, 2023
Daily Reading from the USCCB: Hosea 6:1-6
This reading offers us a dialogue between the Israelites and God. First we hear the Israelites frightened by God’s threat of punishment. They reassure themselves with thoughts of God’s kindness. “He will revive us after a few days. He will come to us like the rain. Everything will be all right.”
But God isn’t convinced by their words. “Your piety is like a morning cloud,” God says. “There’s no substance to it. I’m interested in a change of heart, not superficial ceremonies. It’s love I want, not sacrifice.”
The Church has been leading us in a change of heart for three weeks. Hosea now presents us with some questions. Am I any closer to God than I was before? What’s the quality of my repentance?
Thank you! I am reminder once again, for it so readily slips my mind, … a change of heart the Lord desires!