‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
luke 18:13
Reflection
Jesus tells a parable about a Pharisee and tax collector who go to the temple to pray. The Pharisee thanks God that he is not like others, greedy, adulterous, or like the tax collector. But the tax collector only beats his breast and asks God to be merciful. Jesus says that the tax collector is justified, for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
We read that the Pharisee spoke a prayer to himself, while the tax collector simply prays to God. From this approach to prayer, we can see who the humbler person is. We should always strive to be humble like the sinful tax collector, for we too are sinners and in need of God’s mercy.
Often, we might have thoughts similar to the Pharisee’s prayer. We are glad we aren’t dishonest or greedy; while it is good to acknowledge some of our virtues, it should be done in a humble manner. For where we excel in one area, we fall in another. Reflect on how you to pray to the Lord – is it done in a righteous and haughty manner, or in a simple and humble way? Ask for the grace to grow in humility today.
Saint of the Day
St. Peter of Alcantara: 1499 – 1562
| “Let us now see what are the things on which we must meditate…. Generally speaking, the mysteries of our faith, which are contained in the Symbol, that is the Creed, are the most efficacious and profitable subjects for it.” Treatise of Prayer and Meditation, St. Peter of Alcantara |
The Healing Word 