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First Reading: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
Psalm: 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23
Second Reading: Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Gospel: 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.”
Anchor Verse
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! — Luke 18:13
🔎 Lens: The Prayer That Reached Heaven
Two men. Same temple. Same hour. Both came to pray.
But only one prayer reached God.
Pope Francis, reflecting on this parable, showed us what makes the difference: “The prayer of the Pharisee begins in this way: ‘God, I thank you.’ This is a great beginning, because the best prayer is that of gratitude, that of praise. Immediately, though, we see the reason why he gives thanks: ‘that I am not like other men.’”
The Pharisee stood in front, boasting about his fasting and tithing. “But he forgets the greatest commandment: to love God and our neighbour. Brimming with self-assurance about his own ability to keep the commandments, his own merits and virtues, he is focused only on himself. The tragedy of this man is that he is without love.”
The tax collector couldn’t even lift his eyes. He beat his breast and prayed simply: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
Pope Francis identified what the tax collector understood: “The prayer of the tax collector helps us understand what is pleasing to God. He does not begin from his own merits but from his shortcomings; not from his riches but from his poverty… He felt a poverty of life, because we never live well in sin.”
The contrast is stark. While the Pharisee “stood in front on his feet,” the tax collector “stood far off and ‘would not even lift up his eyes to heaven,’ because he believed that God is indeed great, while he knew himself to be small.”
Jesus’ verdict shocked His listeners: the religious insider went home empty; the sinner went home forgiven. Pope Francis explained why: “The tax collector who exploited others admitted being poor before God, and the Lord heard his prayer, a mere seven words but an expression of heartfelt sincerity.”
God doesn’t respond to our resumes. He responds to our honesty.
Reflection Prompts
- The Pharisee listed all his good deeds when he prayed. When you pray, do you find yourself explaining to God why you’re doing okay? What would it feel like to just come to Him without any explanations?
- The Pharisee compared himself to the tax collector to feel better about himself. Have you ever caught yourself thinking “at least I’m not like that person”? What changes when you stop comparing and just stand before God as you are?
- The tax collector couldn’t even look up. Have you ever felt too ashamed or messy to pray? What if God was actually waiting for you to come to Him just like that?
- Jesus told this parable to people “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous.” Where do you put your confidence—in the good things you do, or in God’s mercy? What’s the difference between those two?
Weekly Practice
At Mass
During the Penitential Act at the beginning of Mass (when we say “I confess…” or “Lord have mercy”), pay attention to what’s happening in your heart:
- Are you going through the motions, or actually confessing?
- Are you thinking about your sins, or mentally listing why you’re doing better than last week?
- When you strike your breast and say “through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault”—do you mean it, or are you just keeping up with the liturgy?
This week, mean it. Even if it’s uncomfortable. Especially if it’s uncomfortable.
You’re training yourself to stand where the tax collector stood.
After Mass
The tax collector’s prayer was: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
This week, pray those words—or something close to them—at least once a day. Out loud if you can. Before breakfast, before bed, in the car, wherever.
Not as a formula. As the truth.
Don’t add anything. Don’t explain yourself. Don’t list what you’ve been working on. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.
Just stand there, like the tax collector, and tell God the truth: you need mercy.
Variations you might pray:
- “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
- “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (The Jesus Prayer)
- “God, I have nothing to offer but my need. Be merciful.”
You’re not trying to feel a certain way. You’re not trying to manufacture humility. You’re just telling the truth about who you are and who God is.
The one who went home justified didn’t have a long prayer. He had an honest one.
That’s what you’re learning this week.
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