The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/033019.cfm)
reminds me that God
looks at the content of our prayer.
There
is more than what meets the eye.
I
believe this is true. There is almost always something more, a deeper meaning
and reason beyond the surface level. There are people who seemingly say one
thing but actually mean another. There are people who seem to proclaim and
share their work for God but are actually looking for applause and building up
themselves, not God. This is what happened to the story in the gospel.
It
is not enough that we pray. God looks at the content of our prayers, for the
content tells God the state of our hearts.
The
Pharisee prayed, but the focus was not on God. The focus was on
himself. How he thinks he is a good person, a God fearing person that people
should look up to. He was boasting of how advanced his state is compared to
others. And God did not like than. On the other hand, the tax collector had a
short prayer. Short but sincere, humble and repentant. Simple, but deep because
it was from the heart. Because the focus was on God. Because he knows how small
he is compared to God's greatness. And because he knows and hopes God will
forgive him.
Our
prayers tell God the state of our hearts.
When
we are like the Pharisee, focusing on ourselves and how great a servant of God
we are, then we are not praying. We are boasting and telling God how great we
are. We are not focusing on God, but on ourselves. We do not ask God to fill us
up, but are telling God we are doing well and must be emulated by others.
However, if we are repentant like the tax collector, then God sees how serious,
repentant and humble we are. And will help us improve and become more like him.
Do
I pray? How do I pray? Do I merely say how great I am? Or do I humbly come to
God with a contrite and repentant heart, asking for his forgiveness and his
guidance? How can I improve my prayer life today?
May
we not be contented by merely praying, but examine our prayers and see if we
are focusing on God or on ourselves.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another
weekend. Lord, sorry for the times my prayer focuses on myself, not on you.
Sorry for being proud. Sorry for having pride. Lord, help me be more aware of
my prayers. Help me be sensitive of my prayers. Disturb me and make me aware if
my prayers are focusing on myself, and not on you. Help me have a humble and
contrite heart, and as I come to you, I ask that you not only forgive me, but
fill me and make me more like you. Amen.
Blessed Weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
March 30 2019
Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Lectionary: 242
Lectionary: 242
Reading
1 HOS 6:1-6
"Come,
let us return to the LORD,
it is he who has rent, but he will heal us;
he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.
He will revive us after two days;
on the third day he will raise us up,
to live in his presence.
Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD;
as certain as the dawn is his coming,
and his judgment shines forth like the light of day!
He will come to us like the rain,
like spring rain that waters the earth."
What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your piety is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that early passes away.
For this reason I smote them through the prophets,
I slew them by the words of my mouth;
For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice,
and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
it is he who has rent, but he will heal us;
he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.
He will revive us after two days;
on the third day he will raise us up,
to live in his presence.
Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD;
as certain as the dawn is his coming,
and his judgment shines forth like the light of day!
He will come to us like the rain,
like spring rain that waters the earth."
What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your piety is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that early passes away.
For this reason I smote them through the prophets,
I slew them by the words of my mouth;
For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice,
and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Responsorial
Psalm PS
51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21AB
R.
(see Hosea 6:6) It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
Be bountiful, O LORD, to Zion in your kindness
by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem;
Then shall you be pleased with due sacrifices,
burnt offerings and holocausts.
R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
Be bountiful, O LORD, to Zion in your kindness
by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem;
Then shall you be pleased with due sacrifices,
burnt offerings and holocausts.
R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.
Verse
Before The Gospel PS
95:8
If
today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
harden not your hearts.
Gospel LK
18:9-14
Jesus
addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.'
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.'
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
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