The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not.
Lk.18:13,14
Jesus is telling the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector to "some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else." He finishes by saying it is the humble who are in right relationship not only with man but also with God.
The deadliest of all sins is pride. It is pride that caused Satan's fall. It is pride that led to Adam and Eve's fall. Pride is actually the sin behind every other sin. It is by nature competitive, wanting to place me above everyone else.
Pride's antithesis and nemesis is humility. "A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn" wites David in today's psalm. "Those who humble themselves will be exalted,” promises Jesus. Today is a good day to change my world view, to see others as better and rejoice in that, to be a joyful servant, to be less so that Jesus can be more.
God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.
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