This week we shall be reflecting upon the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. We start today by looking at who it is that Jesus directs this parable - those who trust in themselves, those who think themselves righteous, and those who despise others.
It's easy to distance ourselves from the pharisee. However, I am sure that most of us who subscribe to the Jesuit Institute Daily Reflection are people who are in search of God and who are trying to live good, honest Christian lives. It can be tempting to think that we are righteous, that we're all right, that we've got things figured out.
But this self-assurance can be dangerous, and Jesus wants to wake us from the delusion that we are perfect. There are two dangers associated with this sort of self-righteousness. One is that we close ourselves to God's grace, and the second is that we begin to judge and despise others.
I remember
once when I had been hurt by a friend, how difficult it was for me to forgive him. "How dare he speak to me that way," I thought, "how dare he treat me like that!" I sat in prayer and told God how terrible he was and how hurt I was. Slowly God opened my eyes to see my wrongdoings. I thought of all the hurtful words I had said, all the times I had treated others poorly. I saw how many times my friends and my family had forgiven me. I saw how merciful God had been to me. At that moment, I woke up
to God's grace, which was constantly at work, and I found it in my heart to forgive that friend.
Reflect for a moment on your attitude towards yourself. Do you consider yourself more righteous than others? Are you open to God's grace and mercy in your life? What is your attitude towards others? Are you judgmental or compassionate? Think of someone you despise,
consider why you dislike them, and talk to God about this person. What does God say to you?
