Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
REFLECTION
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
"To Be a Little Bit More...."
I usually don't retread but I came across this reflection in my drawer of things I don't want to lose. It was written by me in 2022.
Another Lent, another set of good intentions. Somewhere and somehow it always unravels 1/2 way through Lent. Each year I ask, "Self, why did you fail?"
Were my mortifications too intense or severe? Doubt it.
Did I try without asking God what He thought or wanted. Definitely
What was my goal for Lent? Not sure because the goal post kept moving.
When I lived for myself, life was simpler. No one to worry about but me. Then God found me, held on to me and introduced Himself. And the world I lived for made no more sense. Love just took over.
He did not set illustrious goals nor impossible tasks or struggles for me. Instead He asked for a "little bit more of me". A little bit more discipline, a little bit more introspection, a little bit more caring, serving, kindness, concern for others. A little bit more loving.
Since this writing, I have grown a little bit more. Be patient --all in God's time.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
This Lent do a "little bit more" in serving the Lord, in being a better Christian: To honor Him in His way. Every day the Lord picks us up and gives us a fresh new start. Now is the time for a "little bit more" repentance, trust and humility.
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