Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents us with a parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. It teaches us the difference between “having” faith versus “performing” like we have faith when we go to pray at the temple. While two men stood in the same place ready to pray, the Pharisee stood tall and brought his list of achievements, while the tax collector took a humble path and would not even raise his eyes to heaven. Instead, he prayed, “Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner.” 

God’s mercy is not a reward for being perfect, it is a gift for being honest. We don’t need to pretend or brag about ourselves to God. He already knows what we are going through and how we conduct our lives. Rather, he is interested in us being our true and honest selves. The Pharisee thought he did everything right, yet left feeling empty. The tax collector left filled with grace even though he felt everything he had done was wrong. In the end, God is looking for honesty, not a polished presentation, when we pray to him.

How many times do we find ourselves thinking, “I may not be perfect, yet I am not like others who fancy themselves as having everything?” Are we willing to pray without a list of accomplishments, trusting that God’s mercy is received when we are honest with him? Inevitably, we come to find that we are more flawed that we ever dared believe, yet more loved than we ever dared to hope. Above all, rely on grace.

—Ann Power Greene serves as Senior Director of Advancement Operation for the Midwest Jesuits. She is native of Cleveland and an alum of Gesu Catholic School in University Heights, OH.

God, I am far too often influenced by what others think of me. I am always pretending to be either richer or smarter or nicer than I really am. Please prevent me from trying to attract attention. Don't let me gloat over praise on one hand or be discouraged by criticism on the other. Nor let me waste time weaving imaginary situations in which the most heroic, charming, witty person present is myself. Show me how to be humble of heart, like you.

—Author Unknown, published on jesuitresource.org