Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Luke 18:9-14
March 26, 2022 | Saturday

Today’s Gospel

Jesus told another parable to some people, fully convinced of their own righteousness, who looked down on others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray; one was a 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.”

Today’s Reflection:

Most people, if possible, would like to have peaceful relationships with everyone and intimate ones with few persons of their choice. It’s part of our nature to strive for harmonious coexistence with others, especially with those whom we deem superior to ourselves. Hence, to play it safe and to avoid any trouble, there are people who avoid offending God and choose to please Him whenever they can. However, such transactional relationship is void of authentic loyalty and intimacy. It borders itself close to indifference, if not for fear or the impulse to secure one’s own security. Thus, it is not surprising that the Pharisee is also indifferent to the plight of the tax collector. Our Gospel teaches us that whenever we fail to see others as a brother or neighbor, we also fail in loving God as a Father.  /Vulnerasti, 2022