The Pharisee and the Publican

[Melody]

Read: Luke 18: 9 -14

Reflect: The bottom line of the parable lies in the fact that we are all sinners.  There is no one who does not need to kneel humbly before God and ask for his love and mercy.

There is no one like the Pharisee. The portrait of the Pharisee, in the parable is exaggerated.  There are only people who think they are that good and they are the unfortunate ones in the eyes of God.  Again, the Pharisee is needy because he has it all on his own merit.  

In such an approach to God there is no place for a God who fills our emptiness.  Only when we recognise our shallowness and superficialiity we can be filled with the good gifts of God.

Respond:
Q.1 In what ‘devotions’ do your secretly take pride now and then ?

Q.2 How does this effect your prayer life ?

Q.3 What does this parable teach about prayer ?

© Rev. Fr. Marian Fernandes

[Melody]

Whoops   ! Realised that I didn't answer this, but thought 'better late than never'! Here goes:

Q.1 In what ‘devotions’ do your secretly take pride now and then ?

I know that from time to time I definetely think I'm better off than "Sunday Catholics" because I know the Lord personally and because I "do" stuff like personal prayer etc regularly. It scares me to admit that I'm more like the Pharisee than the Tax Collector here.

Q.2 How does this effect your prayer life ?

Mercifully I don't think it affects my prayer life too much. This is because when I come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I'm usually aware of what a great sinner I am. The pride thing takes place outside of prayer sometimes.

Q.3 What does this parable teach about prayer ?

It's taught me a great deal:
(01) To watch out for Spiritual Pride. The poor Pharisee was probably not a bad man. The problem was that he knew it.
(02) To be humble in front of other sinners, and always remember that Christ has forgiven me from Oh So Much... that I have no right to judge another.

Blessings,

Melody

[Seeker]

Melody,

My answers are very similar to yours.  Except for me, the spiritual pride gets in the way of prayer more.  Often the Lord chastises me, that I may approach Him in humility.  For this, I am thankful.

[tklein1014]

This is because when I come before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I'm usually aware of what a great sinner I am. The pride thing takes place outside of prayer sometimes.

I KWYM 100% on this.

Tina