Commentary
Knowing Self and Knowing God
Last week, we reviewed the four types of verbal prayer (prayer
of adoration and thanksgiving, of petition, of intercession, and of
contrition).
Today, the Gospel offers us an example of a sinner who knows
how to pray a prayer of contrition. The
tax collector knows himself and trusts in God’s goodness and mercy. Thus, he is able to humbly ask for
forgiveness.
The Pharisee, on the contrary, misses the chance to offer a
prayer of thanksgiving. He has done all
the right things, at least according to his list. But he gives credit all to himself instead of
to God. In fact, he brags and puts
himself above “the rest of humanity.” He
really does not know himself, nor does he know God. Therefore, he fails.
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