“Two people went up to the Temple to pray: one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector,” so begins Jesus telling a parable about those who believed in their holiness and righteousness, while looking down on everyone else.
The Pharisee prays how good he is since he follows the law and obeys the commandments. How can God not feel anything but love and acceptance, since he is just so good.
The tax collector stays in the background, not raising his eyes but beating his breast praying, “Have mercy on me God, a sinner.
Two men went up to the temple to pray, but only one left truly justified. Which one and why? Which one best represents you?
Religion is at its best when it helps us to be humble and know the deep truth of how we are before God.
Peace,
Fr. Frank