Jesus spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else: Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get. The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, God, be merciful to me, a sinner. This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.'

Introductory Prayer: My God, King and Lord of the Universe, you know all my weaknesses. I trust completely in your infinite grace and mercy. I offer you this time, my whole self, and all I do for your glory. Only you are worthy of my love and adoration.

Petition: Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart more like yours. Help me to trust in you rather than myself. May I humble myself to be exalted by you.

1. Adoring Before the Altar of God  We all adore before some altar. The Pharisee in this Gospel adores before the altar of self. He spends his time in the Temple incensing his own self-perceived grandeur. We read the Pharisee stood there...' In other words, he stood in the center of his own universe, not in the Temple of the living God. For this reason he said this prayer to himself.' He prays, not to God, but to self. He adores not before the altar of God, but before the altar of self.

The tax collector adores before the altar of God, precisely by emptying himself of self. He stood some distance away.' In other words he gives God the first place in his adoration. He knows how much he needs light and strength from God, and how all goodness comes from God and not from him. He adores by emptying himself of his ego and by trusting in God's mercy and love. He adores in true humility, not even daring to raise his eyes to heaven.'

2. Holding On and Letting Go.Pride is based on holding on to something I have and becoming possessive of it for its own sake. The Pharisee thanks God for the virtues he imagines he has. He believes he is generous, just, pure, and charitable. He prides himself on these virtues, believing they make him good. He bases his self-esteem and value on himself, on what he believes he possesses. He holds on to these qualities as if he were their origin and foundation. He lives outside of reality and allows himself to be puffed up with his own self-conceit. He condemns others to further exalt himself. He is blinded to the truth that he who exalts himself will be humbled'.

The tax collector lets go of all he possesses, even his own personal worth. He is detached and seeks to possess nothing for its own sake, but all for the glory of God and the good of others. He thanks God for his mercy and knows that he has no virtue without God's grace. He bases his self-esteem and value on the Father's love and mercy toward him. He holds on to nothing, because everything is a gift from God freely given to his unworthy servant. He lives in the truth and is content with weakness because his weakness opens him up to God's grace. Begging mercy for himself, he has no time to judge others. He humbles himself and is exalted: This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God.'

3. Jesus' Scandalous Idea. Everyone in his audience knew for certain that Publicans were sinners and Pharisees saints.  Yet Jesus reverses the matter. Yes, a Publican is a sinner, but if he repents and asks for forgiveness God will justify him. Yes, a Pharisee does the deeds of holiness, but if they do not proceed from a humble heart, if they do not move him to understand how much more holy than he God is, if they make him forget that "even the just man falls seven times a day", these very acts in which he places his trust will end up distancing him from God instead of bringing him closer. Jesus is calling us to a real renewal of our lives before him. St Paul said, "let the man who stands be careful lest he fall" which is good advice for us if we think we are getting better.

Conversation with Christ: Thank you for all you have given me. Help me to know that all I have is from you. May I never be possessive and attached to the gifts and qualities you have given to me. May I give them back to you by using them for your glory and honor.

Questionnaire:

1. What altar do I adore before? My self or God? How can I adore God more deeply as he deserves in his infinite greatness and majesty?

2. How does my adoration of God help me to remain meek and humble of heart? How often do I turn to God in humility like the tax collector, repeating his words, Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.'?

3. Specifically, what am I possessive of rather than being grateful to God for, Time? Friendships? Material items? When was the last time I truly thanked God for the gifts He has placed in my life?