Keep It Simple and Humble

 

 Luke 18: 9-14

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

It's easy to slip into the "I'm So Good" trap exemplified by the Pharisee, even without knowing it.  We get get taken with ourselves, full of ourselves. unless we be reminded from time to time, by this parables for example, that we too are in need of correction and a reminder to look at ourselves with humility.  May we follow the example of the tax collector and make his prayer, ours: "God have mercy o me, a sinner."

Bro. Rene 

 God of mercy and compassion, you justify the humble and humble the self-exalted. Look upon us poor sinners with the gaze of your love. Grant us the wisdom to recognize our sins. Convict our hearts so that we make seek true contrition. Fill us with a burning zeal for conversion, and bestow on us the grace to seek your forgiveness. O God, be merciful to me a sinner! Amen.

Rev. Matt Fase, C.S.C.