Saturday of the Third Week of Lent (March 5, 2016)

Reading 1 and//usccb.org/bible/hosea/6and1 HOS 6and1-6 Come, let us return to the LORD,it is he who has rent, but he will heal ushe has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.He will revive us after two dayson the third day he will raise us up,to live in his presence.Let us know, let us strive to know the LORDas certain as the dawn is his coming,and his judgment shines forth like the light of day!He will come to us like the rain,like spring rain that waters the earth.”What can I do with you, Ephraim?What can I do with you, Judah?Your piety is like a morning cloud,like the dew that early passes away.For this reason I smote them through the prophets,I slew them by the words of my mouthFor it is love that I desire, not sacrifice,and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Responsorial Psalm and//usccb.org/psalms/51and3 PS 51and3-4, 18-19, 20-21AB R. (see Hosea 6and6)It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodnessin the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.Thoroughly wash me from my guiltand of my sin cleanse me. R.It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice. For you are not pleased with sacrificesshould I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirita heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. R.It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice. Be bountiful, O LORD, to Zion in your kindnessby rebuilding the walls of JerusalemThen shall you be pleased with due sacrifices,burnt offerings and holocausts. R.It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice. Verse Before The Gospel and//usccb.org/bible/psalms/95and8 PS 95and8 If today you hear his voice,harden not your hearts. Gospel and//usccb.org/bible/18:9 LK 18:9-14 Jesus addressed this parableto those who were convinced of their own righteousnessand despised everyone else. Two people went up to the temple area to prayone was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.I fast twice a week,and I pay tithes on my whole income.’But the tax collector stood off at a distanceand would not even raise his eyes to heavenbut beat his breast and prayed,‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the formerfor everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”