Are we like the Pharisee?

[tonyg]

After reading the Gospel reading taken from, Lk 18: 9-14, I could not help but see the similarities with our culture today.
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. The Pharisee said: “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 pay tithes on my whole income.” 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.” 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.
It is truly amazing to me how history repeats itself; we should all take heed of this passage.

 

[NotWorthy]

I was listening to a congressman chastise the “bonus-takers” of AIG the other day, and was reminded of this passage. That guy was incorrigible and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was the pot, or the kettle.

But seriously, in the past, I think I suffered, albeit in a less obtrusive way, from the pharisee’s way of thinking. The more I praise God, however, the more humble I seem to become. This has helped me to look less at my own state in the this world (i.e. whether I’m better or worse off than others) and more at my future state in the next!

Thanks for the reminder!

 

[juliamajor]

I think it’s a trap that anyone of a religious nature can fall into. A priest once told me that if you don’t take yourself so seriously you have less chance of falling into that error.When i was getting too judgmental the lord always sent me something that would set my ego back a few notches.Those lessons were well learned. When you teach Scripture like I do, it can make you cringe and make you feel very small indeed . You really become aware of what you DON’T do . Jesus asks a lot of us and most of us fall short. But His love and Mercy makes all things possible.!God Bless.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

The Pharisee said: “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity". And in that too he was like the rest of men.