Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others:
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.’
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Homily:
One came to pray.
The other came to compare.
One came for mercy.
The other came to judge.
One seeks a a loving relationship.
The other seeks transactional relationship.
One seeks reconciliation.
The other seeks glorification.
One is conscious of sin.
The other assumes no guilt.
One came self-humbled and was exalted.
The other came self-exalted and was humbled.
Learn from “One”, and avoid “The other”.