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[Hosea 6:1-6 and Luke 18:9-14]

      For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.  [Hosea]

     Our Catholic tradition is blessed with a rich tapestry of liturgical expression ranging from the sacraments to private devotions.  In these liturgical moments our faith finds an encounter with the Lord that strengthens us.  But there can be a tendency to equate Catholicism with liturgy and forget that before we come to this liturgical treasure, we must have lived in and responded to a world of need.  In short, we must come to worship as people of mercy and love.  In the Gospel According to Matthew, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says: Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Mt. 5:23.   The passage from the prophet Hosea in the first scripture today echoes similar ones in other prophets in which empty piety is denounced.

     Christian life is not lived primarily within the walls of a church building or during devotional moments!  There is the world of work and relationships which command most of our time and attention.  Pastors know that most of their day is not spent administering sacraments and leading prayers.  The parishioners have many other needs that call for great compassion and wisdom.  

     It is not rare to hear someone say that they left the church because they saw too many hypocrites in the pews.  A waggish pastor once responded to someone who said that, "There's always room for one more!"  At the penitential rite that begins the celebration of the Eucharist, Hosea's words can challenge us to love our neighbor more and strive to know God better through our actions.  The prayer of the tax collector in today's gospel scripture says it well:  "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner."  Worship and justice must go together, otherwise worship is empty piety.  AMEN