Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
REFLECTION
O God, be merciful to me a sinner
The parable reminds us that what society labels us is not necessarily equivalent to who we are. In fact, we may be the complete opposite of what we are perceived to be.
The Pharisee may be telling the truth in what he “confesses” to God; he may really be a “good” Pharisee. The problem with that, however, is that he is led to despise and judge the tax collector, and he overlooks his own weaknesses. On the other hand, the tax collector shows such extraordinary humility and repentance before God that he does not even raise his eyes to heaven but only beats his breast and begs, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”
Those of us who feel “close” to God because we perceive ourselves to be “good” (in contrast to evildoers or criminals) can fall into the same trap of self-righteousness, just like the Pharisee, and we begin to judge others – something only God has the right to do. If we honestly scrutinize ourselves, we can never boast of any personal righteousness before God; in fact, we shall surely find many reasons for God to judge us. We can never be wrong if we approach God with an attitude of humility and honest acceptance and confession of our shortcomings. Let us leave God to deal with others.
* * *
Do I tend to be self-righteous or judgmental towards others? Do I humble myself before God and confess my sinfulness?
* * *
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
