Word to the Wise
Saturday, March 26, 2022 - 3rd Week of Lent - Sat
[Hos 6:1-6 and Luke 18:9-14]"O God, be merciful to me, a sinner." [Luke]
The contrast between the Pharisee and the tax collector could not be sharper. The Pharisee is there to tell God that he (the Pharisee) doesn't really need God all that much. The tax collector is there to tell God how much he (the tax collector) needs God! The difference in self-awareness is clear. Arrogance and pride characterize the Pharisee. Humility characterizes the tax collector.
One of the optional "Acts of Contrition" for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the prayer of the tax collector, which is traditionally called "the Jesus' prayer:" It is phrased this way, "Lord Jesus Christ, son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner!" I ask penitents to repeat it after me so that the traditional act of constitution isn't raced through by rote memory,
When we are alone with God, how do we present ourselves? What is our relationship going to be? What the Pharisee seems unaware of is that he is really one of the "rest of humanity" that he claims not to be. His prayer is blind. Lent offers us the chance to see ourselves in the light of Jesus' own situation on the cross - utterly helpless unless we depend on God. The tax collector's prayer should be ours. Our self-sufficiency might be the best thing to "give up" for Lent! AMEN