"Ang bisan sin-o nga nagapakataas sang iya kaugalingon paubuson sang Dios"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 18:9-14)

May mga tawo didto nga nagasalig nga sila gid lang ang matarong kag nagatamay sila sa iban. Gani ginsugiran sila ni Jesus sining paanggid:

"May duha ka tawo nga nagkadto sa templo sa pagpangamuyo. Ang isa Pariseo kag ang isa manugsukot sang buhis.

Ang Pariseo nagtindog didto kag nagpangamuyo sa iya kaugalingon sing subong sini, 'Dios ko, nagapasalamat ako sa imo nga indi ako pareho sang iban nga mga tawo nga kawatan, dayaon, kag babahedor. Kag salamat nga indi man ako pareho sa sini nga manugsukot sang buhis.

Kaduha ako magpuasa kada semana, kag ginahatag ko ang ikanapulo sang tanan ko nga kinitaan.'

Ang manugsukot sang buhis nagtindog sa malayo kag indi gani siya magtangla sa langit, kundi ginapukpok niya ang iya dughan sa paghinulsol nga nagasiling, 'Dios ko, kaluoyi ako nga makasasala!'

Sa pagkamatuod, ining tawo nagpauli sa iya balay nga ginpakamatarong sang Dios sang sa isa. Kay ang bisan sin-o nga nagapakataas sang iya kaugalingon paubuson sang Dios, pero ang nagapaubos sang iya kaugalingon pagapataason."

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, may your love control my thoughts and actions that I may do what is pleasing to you. Show me where I lack charity, mercy, and forgiveness toward my neighbor. And help me to be generous in giving to others what you have so generously given to me."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What kind of prayer is pleasing to God? The prophet Hosea, who spoke in God's name, said: "I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6). The prayers and sacrifices we make to God mean nothing to him if they do not spring from a heart of love for God and for one's neighbor. How can we expect God to hear our prayers if we do not approach him with humility and a contrite heart? We stand in constant need of his grace and mercy. That is why the Apostle James tells us that "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34).

Jesus reinforced this warning with a vivid story of two men at prayer. Why did the Lord accept one person’s prayer and reject the other’s prayer? Luke gives us a hint: despising one’s neighbor closes the door to God’s heart. Contempt is more than being mean-minded. It springs from the assumption that one is qualified to sit in the seat of judgment and to ascertain who is good and just. Jesus' story caused offense for those who regarded "tax collectors" as unworthy of God's grace and favor. How could Jesus put down a "religious leader" and raise up a "public sinner"? Jesus' parable speaks about the nature of prayer and our relationship with God. It does this by contrasting two very different attitudes towards prayer. The Pharisee, who represented those who take pride in their religious practices, exalted himself at the expense of others. Absorbed with his own sense of self-satisfaction and self-congratulation his prayer was centered on himself rather than on God. Rather than praising God and asking God for his mercy and help, this man praised himself while despising those he thought less worthy than himself. The Pharisee tried to justify himself before God and before those he despised; but only God can justify us. The tax collector, who represented those despised by religious-minded people, humbled himself before God and begged for mercy. His prayer was heard by God because he had true sorrow for his sins. He sought God with humility rather than with pride.

This parable presents both an opportunity and a warning. Pride leads to illusion and self-deception. Humility helps us to see ourselves as we really are and it inclines us to God's grace and mercy. God dwells with the humble of heart who recognize their own sinfulness and who acknowledge God's mercy and saving grace. I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit (Isaiah 57:15). God cannot hear us if we despise others. Do you humbly seek God's mercy and do you show mercy to others, especially those you find difficult to love and to forgive?