"O God, Be Merciful to Me a Sinner." 

Dear People of God,

This Sunday, we are invited to embrace humility in prayer and recognize our dependence on God's mercy.

The Gospel (Luke 18:9–14) presents a striking

contrast between two men at prayer: a Pharisee and a tax collector, a powerful lesson on the posture of the heart in prayer. The Pharisee, confident in his righteousness, boasts of his religious observance and looks down on others. In contrast, the tax collector stands at a distance, unable to lift his eyes to heaven,

and simply pleads, “God, be merciful to me, a

sinner.” Jesus concludes that it is the tax collector who goes home justified before God.

The Gospel reading challenges us to examine our own attitudes in prayer. Do we approach God with a sense of entitlement, listing our good deeds as if they earn His favor? Or do we come with a humble heart, aware of our shortcomings and trusting in His mercy.

The Pharisee’s mistake wasn’t in doing good things, namely, fasting, tithing, and avoiding sin but in using those deeds to elevate himself above others. His prayer lacked love and humility. The tax collector, though despised by society, understood his need for grace. His simple, heartfelt plea was enough to move

the heart of God.

As Fr. Geoffrey Plant notes, this parable warns

against presumptuous prayer, a prayer that assumes we are already righteous and forget our need for transformation. Instead, we are called to pray like the tax collector: honestly, humbly, and with trust in God’s mercy.

Takeaway for the Week:

Let this Sunday be a reminder to:

• Pray with humility, not pride.

• Avoid comparing ourselves to others, especially in spiritual matters.

• Trust in God’s mercy, which is freely given to those who seek it with sincerity.

May our hearts echo the prayer of the tax collector: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” And may we go home justified, renewed in grace and love.

Fr. Alex