Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
WEEK THIRTEEN: THE PARABLES OF JESUS DAY 5
MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on Luke 18: 13-14: The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector: "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." [Please read Luke 18: 9-14 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection; then pray using Luke 18: 13-14; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)
1. But the tax collector...beat his breast and prayed, 'O God be merciful to me a sinner... The latter went home justified: In this parable Jesus is contrasting two opposing styles of discipleship. The tax collector has the right approach to salvation and discipleship. He understands that he cannot save himself from his sin. Only God can. His prayer is addressed directly to God. It is honest, humble, and trusting. Jesus extols the tax collector's understanding of discipleship. He goes home justified, meaning, that God has restored to the tax collector the right order of things between God and himself, between himself and others.
2. Not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled: In the case of the Pharisee, his salvation is dependent on his own good works and merit. He doesn't need God to be saved. He can do it on his own. In his prayer, therefore, he is addressing himself rather than God: "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..." (Luke 18: 11). His prayer is a monologue, rather than a dialogue, because he is self-sufficient. For him, prayer is a sales pitch about himself rather than a trusting conversation
"Be merciful to me, a sinner." In our journeys into the heart of God we can become filled with good works and feeling good about oneself. We become the Pharisee, we measure ourselves compared to another, our nature will create this comparison to someone who we perceive to be less than. If we are not careful we can plateau here, it isn't until we realize that sin is active in our lives, until Jesus has revealed truth to us and we can see again. We recognize our own sinfulness and realize that without God we are doomed. Be merciful to me a sinner. We all need the mercy of God for without it we are going down, not up.
What is God saying to you? Each day reveals insights to your nature. Listen to My Son and heed His voice.
Dear Father, it is a beautiful morning with lots of gifts. I thank You for the grace of You in my life, I thank You for vision into what brings You joy and what brings You pain. Thank You for the gift of life and companionship. Prayers for a restful Sunday, filled with laughter and good memories. Prayers for friends coming off a silent retreat, Thank You Father for these men who are willing to journey deeper with You. Bless this day and all it has to offer, Amen.
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on Luke 18: 13-14: The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector: "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." [Please read Luke 18: 9-14 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection; then pray using Luke 18: 13-14; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)
1. But the tax collector...beat his breast and prayed, 'O God be merciful to me a sinner... The latter went home justified: In this parable Jesus is contrasting two opposing styles of discipleship. The tax collector has the right approach to salvation and discipleship. He understands that he cannot save himself from his sin. Only God can. His prayer is addressed directly to God. It is honest, humble, and trusting. Jesus extols the tax collector's understanding of discipleship. He goes home justified, meaning, that God has restored to the tax collector the right order of things between God and himself, between himself and others.
2. Not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled: In the case of the Pharisee, his salvation is dependent on his own good works and merit. He doesn't need God to be saved. He can do it on his own. In his prayer, therefore, he is addressing himself rather than God: "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..." (Luke 18: 11). His prayer is a monologue, rather than a dialogue, because he is self-sufficient. For him, prayer is a sales pitch about himself rather than a trusting conversation
"Be merciful to me, a sinner." In our journeys into the heart of God we can become filled with good works and feeling good about oneself. We become the Pharisee, we measure ourselves compared to another, our nature will create this comparison to someone who we perceive to be less than. If we are not careful we can plateau here, it isn't until we realize that sin is active in our lives, until Jesus has revealed truth to us and we can see again. We recognize our own sinfulness and realize that without God we are doomed. Be merciful to me a sinner. We all need the mercy of God for without it we are going down, not up.
What is God saying to you? Each day reveals insights to your nature. Listen to My Son and heed His voice.
Dear Father, it is a beautiful morning with lots of gifts. I thank You for the grace of You in my life, I thank You for vision into what brings You joy and what brings You pain. Thank You for the gift of life and companionship. Prayers for a restful Sunday, filled with laughter and good memories. Prayers for friends coming off a silent retreat, Thank You Father for these men who are willing to journey deeper with You. Bless this day and all it has to offer, Amen.
Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Head of the Holy Family, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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