On this Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time, we hear Jesus preach about the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who both go to the temple to pray. The Pharisee begins by addressing God, but he then goes on to talk about his own virtues and religious practices. The tax collector cannot even raise his eyes to heaven and simply prays for God’s mercy. Both the Pharisee and the tax collector need salvation, but only the tax collector understands his need of it. Jesus says that only the tax collector went home justified.
Reflection: Do you recognize your own need of Christ for your salvation? Why is comparing our own virtues and sins against those of others problematic?
