Luke 18:9-14
And to some who trusted in themselves as just and despised others, he spoke also this parable: Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
The Pharisee and the tax collector reveal two very different approaches to God. Pride focuses on self-achievement, while humility recognizes dependence on divine mercy. Jesus praises the tax collector because he comes before God with honesty and repentance. Lent encourages us to approach prayer with the same humility. Rather than comparing ourselves to others, we are invited to acknowledge our need for grace and trust in God’s transforming love.