The Sacrifice Acceptable To God

 

What we need is a humble contrite heart.   

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 3rd Week of Lent B, March 5th, 2024

Texts: Daniel 3:2, 11-20; Psalm 25:4-6,7-9; Matthew 18:21-35

Lent is a period of purification. We purify our souls through forgiveness of our sins. Azariah,  in today’s first reading, reminds us, today, that we do not need offering to seek forgiveness. What we need is a humble contrite heart.  

Azariah prays thus: “Yet with a contrite heart and a humble spirit may we be accepted, as though it were with burnt offerings of rams and bulls, and with tens of thousands of fat lambs; such may our sacrifice be in your sight this day”. King David says, “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (51:17). 

We are to follow the Lord wholly

There are also other things that must be noted in the prayer of Azariah. We are to follow the Lord wholly. This is because there is no shame for those who puts his faith in the Lord. When we follow God half-heartedly, we admit that a person who trust in God could be put to shame. Such a way of life contradict our faith.  We are also to seek the face of God and beseech His mercy.  

Today’s gospel reading reminds us of what should be our response to forgiveness. This is clear in the words of Jesus: “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” We are to forgive one another as the Lord has forgiven you. Failure to forgive one another degrade us. Jesus says, “And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt.” 

Prayer 

May your grace not forsake us, O Lord, we pray, but make us dedicated to your holy service and at all times obtain for us your help. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke