Pharisee, and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself, and said, ‘I thank you, God,
that I am not like other people, grasping, crooked, adulterous, or even like this tax collector. I fast
twice a week, and give a tenth of all my income to the temple.’
In the meantime the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but beat
his breast, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’
I tell you, when this man went back to his house, he had been reconciled with God, but not the
other. For whoever makes himself out to be great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself
will be raised up.”
Reflect
It’s the simplest and most profound prayer in Scripture: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
These eight words summarize our entire relationship with God. They remind us that we can call
on God for anything we need and he will hear us with the loving compassion of a Father. We
approach God with the realization that we are sinners, in need of his mercy and forgiveness. We
always approach God with trust and humility.]
The reason for acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking God’s mercy is not to make us feel bad.
Instead, by looking with honesty at the times we have fallen short of what God has asked of us, we
can undertake the lifelong process of conversion, drawing farther away from sin and ever closer to
God. We strive to remove sinful behaviors from our lives and act with justice and charity toward our
brothers and sisters. As Hosea assures us, God is waiting for us to return and draw close to him. He
will greet us with healing and nurture us into wholeness.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023