onthly MeditationMeditation for September 2010
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Judith reads:
The sixteenth Parable of Jesus unique to the Gospel of St. Luke is the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. It is found in Luke 18: 9 – 14.
Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else. Luke 18: 9, New Living Translation. These were people who had high opinions of themselves and thought that they were better than others.
The parable tells the story of how a Pharisee and a Tax Collector went into the Temple at the same time in order to pray. The Pharisee set himself apart from others and began to extol his virtues and give thanks to God for them. He gave no praise to God but, rather, praised himself, listing the good things he did and saying that he didn't do bad things like everyone else, especially not like the tax collector.
As the tax collector prayed, he kept himself at a distance, and looked down at the ground and beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' Luke 18: 13, N.L.T. He acknowledged his sins to God and asked for mercy.
Jesus said that it was the tax collector, the one seen as the sinner by others and in his own eyes, who would return home justified before God and not the Pharisee. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Those of us who are Christians in name and in religious practice should examine the way in which we approach God when we pray. Are we inclined to think that we are better than others? Do we compare ourselves to others before God by saying that we are good and do good things while those around us are not as moral, upright and virtuous as we are? Do we exalt ourselves and our actions while disparaging the deeds and good will of those around us? How will God view us and our prayers? Does the manner in which we pray give God cause to humble us or exalt us?
We need to pray to God with thought and care to our words; to pray to God in a right spirit and a right relationship toward God and our fellow created beings.
© Judith Lawrence September 2010
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