PRAYING CONTRAST

Lectionary text: Luke 18:9-14 (NRSV) - He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."


To some who trusted in themselves, Jesus described one day    
two men who went up to the holy temple just to pray.
“I thank you, God, that I am not like other people, who
are thieves, adulterers, and rogues ---that tax collector,  too.
I give a tenth of my income.  I fast two times a week.”
Thus proudly and self-righteously the Pharisee did speak.
But standing at a distance without lifting up his head,
         the tax collector beat his breast: “Have mercy, God,” he said,
“on me, a sinner.” Jesus then the parable applied:
        “I tell you, this man, not the Pharisee, was justified.
For all who do exalt themselves will be humbled,” he said,
        “But those who have humbled themselves, God will exalt instead!