Asking For Mercy

Today's Gospel presents the contrasting prayers of the Publican and the Pharisee.  As we recall this familiar story, the tax collector's prayer for mercy and attitude of humility usually move us to want to pray as he does.  We need to, we admit it, because we know we are sinners. We would like the honesty and courage to beat our breasts beside him and not blow our trumpets beside the Pharisee, but in actuality, we do  this every time we pray the Hail Mary when we say, "pray for us (poor) sinners now and at the hour of our death."  We usually go so fast that we don't realize what we are saying, but it is the prayer of the tax collector.  As we go about this day, we might pray for a humble heart and more conscious attention before we say this beautiful prayer which sums up so much in the life of Mary and serves as a model for our lives and our need to ask constantly for God's mercy.
Bro. Rene