March 26

March 26, 2022
Luke 18:9-14

Jesus tells a story about two people, a Pharisee and a tax collector, to teach us how to prepare our hearts for prayer.  Having our hearts in the right place is more important than where or when we pray, or the words we say, or whether we stand, or sit, or have our hands folded or eyes closed.

The Pharisee in the story has two problems with his heart. First, he trusts in his own righteousness. He brags about how often he fasts, and how much he puts in the offering plate. These things in themselves do not please God. 

The Pharisee’s second problem is how he views others. He says, “I thank you, God, that I’m not like them.”  It’s not just that the Pharisee thinks he’s better: the word Jesus uses in verse 9 means treating people as though they are nothing - like they don’t even exist.

But the tax collector’s heart is in the right place. He prays, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”  The tax collector knows he is a sinner.  And that he needs God’s mercy.  The tax collector trusts in God: this is where our hearts should always be.

Reflection by Michael Compton