Opening Prayer

Lord, grant that I may see you more clearly,
love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly,
day by day.

Scripture

Luke 18:9-14

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Reflection

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector highlights the stark contrast between pride and humility in prayer. The Pharisee boasts of his righteousness and looks down on others, while the tax collector humbly acknowledges his sinfulness and seeks God’s mercy. Jesus teaches that it is the humble, repentant heart that is truly justified before God. This encourages us to approach prayer with humility, recognising our own shortcomings and relying on God’s grace rather than our own merits.

While the Pharisee’s prayer is filled with self-congratulation and judgment of others, the tax collector focuses solely on his own need for God’s mercy. This parable reminds us to avoid comparing ourselves to others and passing judgment on their spiritual state. Our focus should be on our personal relationship with God, seeking His forgiveness and striving for a heart that is pure and contrite. By doing so, we cultivate a spirit of humility and compassion, allowing God’s love to transform us and guide our interactions with others.

Contemplation

I take a few moments to imagine the scene from the Gospel story I just read. I let the words come alive in my heart. I visualise the event as if I was there and part of the story. I pay attention to all the details, the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells, and the feelings of the event. I imagine myself as one of the characters in the scene or as myself present in the story. What message does Jesus have for me? How is God speaking to me personally through this story? I open my heart to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Thanksgiving

I ask God, the Father, to give me an intimate knowledge of the many gifts I have received,
so that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty.

Fellow Pilgrims

A word or a smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul.

– Saint Therese of Lisieux

Closing Prayer

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen.