“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14
“And let not the worshipper, beloved brethren, be ignorant in what manner the publican prayed with the Pharisee in the temple. Not with eyes lifted up boldly to heaven, nor with hands proudly raised; but beating his breast, and testifying to the sins shut up within, he implored the help of the divine mercy. And while the Pharisee was pleased with himself, this man who thus asked, the rather deserved to be sanctified, since he placed the hope of salvation not in the confidence of his innocence, because there is none who is innocent; but confessing his sinfulness he humbly prayed, and He who pardons the humble heard the petitioner.”
Cyprian of Carthage (190-258) Sermon 4 On the Lord’s Prayer.
In today’s biblical text we find mention of the disciplines of Lent: prayer, fasting, and giving. We also learn that these disciplines must be practiced from a place of humility.
This lesson seems timely as we find ourselves 2.5 weeks into Lent.
Our temptation is to rationalize that we are doing great. We are giving, fasting, and not like the sinners around us. So we reason that we have arrived. We have ticked the boxes.
We cannot let that be us. There’s a different response we can have during Lent.
Let us instead follow the path of the publican. Let us allow these disciplines to remind us of our sin and our daily need for God. Now see how the disciplines emerge.
God, grant us your divine mercy, we fast from pride, and give our lives to you afresh today. Amen.