Two characters in our Gospel this Sunday mirror ourselves.
True humility and sincere repentance for our sins are the main themes of the Gospel today. The parable does not focus on prayer itself, but rather on the evil of pride, the need for true humility and the role of God’s grace in our salvation.
Both humility and repentance for our sins must be the hallmark of our prayers. Such prayers are heard because they come from the heart of people who know how much they need God.
Although God plays no favorites and answers the prayers of all, He hears the prayers of the oppressed, the orphans, the widows and those who can least help themselves. These people are His special concern. And the best prayer is humble and selfless service.
Jesus reminds us that God hears the prayers of one who approaches Him in humility, with a repentant heart. God did not hear the prayer of the Pharisee because he exalted himself. His prayer was a prayer of thanksgiving that he was not as evil as other people. He announced to God his freedom from sin and detailed his fidelity to the prescribed fast and the giving of tithes.
But the prayer of the tax collector was heard because he humbled himself, acknowledging his sins and asking for God’s mercy: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
Sometimes, we are just like the proud Pharisee when we brag about our achievements, giving no credit to God or those who helped us, when we seek praise and recognition from others for our accomplishments and when we degrade others with insensitive comments, hurting their feelings.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to imitate the humble publican (tax collector) by acknowledging our total dependence on God and His grace for all our achievements and blessings; by confessing to God daily our sinfulness; by asking for His strengthening through the daily anointing of His Holy Spirit living within us; and by becoming more sensitive to the needs and feelings of others, serving Jesus in them as best as we can.
Our personal prayers must include our request for pardon and forgiveness for our sins, our thanksgiving for the numerous blessings we receive daily from God, our praise and worship, the unconditional surrender of our life and all our activities completely and unconditionally to God, the acknowledgement of our weakness and total dependence on Him, and finally, the presentation of our needs and petitions, asking that they be granted only if they are in accordance with His Holy Will, accompanied by the fervent request for God to strengthen us to overcome our weaknesses and temptations through the power and guidance of His Holy Spirit.
Let us pray every day: “Be merciful to me, a sinner.”