Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Two people went to the great temple of Jerusalem to pray. One as a Pharisee who “spoke this prayer to himself.” Imagine, he went to pray, but ended up speaking to himself, not to God. He went home, Jesus said, without God’s blessing. He never asked for it. He didn’t get it.
The other person at the temple was a tax collector, despised by the people, a known sinner and traitor. He simply said to God, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” That man, Jesus said, went home with God’s blessing because he had asked for it.
So, if we puff ourselves up in pride, trying to be our own gods, praying to ourselves and depending on ourselves, God will have no room to act within us. But, if we admit who we are, sinners in need of forgiveness, this is exactly what God is able to give to us.
This is a prayer that we should say more often, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” It comes with the guarantee of forgiveness if we mean what we say and pray with a heart open to receive God’s love.