Saturday Week 3 Lent
Hosea 6,1-6
Luke 18,9-14
The WORD in Other Words by Fr Antonio Enerio SVD (Switzerland)
Wakefield tells the story of the famous inventor Samuel Morse who was once asked if he ever encountered situations where he didn‘t know what to do. Morse responded, “More than once, and whenever I could not see my way clearly, I knelt down and prayed to God for light and understanding.”
Morse received many honors from his invention of the telegraph but felt undeserving: “I have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone and He was pleased to reveal it to me.”
In today‘s Gospel, the prayer of the Pharisee exemplifies spiritual pride. He passes judgement on the tax collector. His prayer is all about him as well as his good works and righteousness.
While on the other hand, the tax collector prays with humility and fear of God. He sees something else that the other did not see. He considers God‘s presence like a mirror that reflects the status of his inner self. He does not brag or judge. He, instead, in all humility, seeks God‘s mercy.
As a result, the tax collector leaves justified, yet the Pharisee leaves the same way as he came in.
The parable teaches us not to judge, not to boast. It especially teaches us to be dependent on God who will be the one to exult us.
