"The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week...But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed,‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Lk 18, 11-14
Still, you insist on sincerity of heart; in my inmost being teach me wisdom.
Ps 51,8
Attributed to King David, this penitential psalm asks for forgiveness after David's affair with Bathsheba. David recognized his sinfulness and offered his broken heart, asking God to wash away his guilt and to allow him to remain in the Divine Presence.
Recognition of personal sins and brokenness need not bring despair, but can allow one to open his heart and accept God's mercy and Grace.
The Pharisee in the gospel reading presents a heart very different from that of David. Read More
