Be merciful to me, a sinner (Sabong News)

The two characters in the parable are a study in contrast. The Pharisee is true to his obligation as a faithful Jew: prayerful and paying tithes for the support of the Temple. He obeys the commandments of the Law. The tax collector, on the other hand, may not be as bad as the “rest of humanity”: greedy, dishonest, adulterous—but he himself acknowledges his miserable condition. He does not even know how he can make amends to God or to people he might have defrauded. Can he leave behind his work? All he can do is to pray, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner,” echoing the penitential Psalm 51composed by David after being exposed of his sin with Bathsheba. Jesus says that it is the publican that goes home “justified,” that is declared pardoned by God. Whether the publican knows, it is beside the story. What is important is that on the authority of Jesus’ word, God hears the sinner who goes to him repentant. On the other hand, the Pharisee prays to himself. He does not ask anything from God. He even exalts himself. He goes home still imprisoned by his pride. FIRST READING • Hos 6:1-6 “Come, let us return to the Lord, it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence. Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgment shines forth like the light of day! He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.” What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away. For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of my mouth; For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Gospel • Lk 18:9-14 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 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. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 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.” SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail:  [email protected] ; Website:  http://www.stpauls.ph .