“O God, be merciful to me a sinner”

In this week's Gospel reading Jesus tells a parable that speaks just as clearly now as it did 2,000 years ago when he first spoke it. It is about two people going to the Temple to pray, one who lives their faith on their sleeve and makes a show of it, and the other who humbly acknowledges his faults and failures. And Jesus says it plainly: "I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former"

It is all too easy for humans to fall into the trap of exterior show. When we go to Mass each week, give to the poor, and provide resources to the parish community it is all too easy to convince ourselves that this is all it takes. That these things are what save us. And while they are certainly important, this parable shows us how dangerous it can be when we can begin to think of ourselves as better or as more deserving of God's love and care than others. 

However, the first reading reminds us: "The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites." The true mark of holiness of life and a heart that follows after Jesus is this: when one still comes before the Lord acknowledging their sin. Humility, repentance, a desire to make right our wrongs... these are the marks of a Christian who gets it and who wants to truly grow closer to the Lord.

So let us pray this week that our hearts may become a little more like the tax collector in this story. For, while many of us do indeed live exemplary lives and practice our faith with great faithfulness and joy, we are still sinners. As such, may our hearts and voices be one with the tax collector as we say, "O God, be merciful to me a sinner."

Want to prepare your heart and mind for Mass this weekend? Click here to find the readings this Sunday's Mass.

Written by: Fr. Craig Irwin, OSFS - Associate Pastor