The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week,

 I give tithes of all that I get.’ (Luke 18:11-12) 

Luke18:9-14

This Pharisee is a good man. Outside of the context of this parable (of which we know the ending), we would be quick to praise him. Who of us, like extortioners, the unjust, adulterers, or corrupt government officials? Most of us would much prefer it; I am sure if our society was made of morally upright, good people.

It can be tempting to assume the security of being a regular and good person. One of the things that shocked me most while watching footage of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission was how ordinary many of Apartheid's perpetrators were. They woke up, made their kids breakfast, kissed their wives goodbye and went to work to kill people. They were not extortioners nor adulterers; they may have even given tithes at their churches. They were good people by many standards of evaluation. This same observation has been made about Nazi officials, participants in the Rwandan genocide and many other atrocities. How can this be? How can good people do such terrible things?

The problem with being a "good" person and, worse, thinking that we are a good person is that this numbs us to the real impact of our actions on people's lives. We spend our lives trying to make sure that we tick all the boxes that society expects us to tick. We become normal and good people. But in doing so, we close our eyes to our real weaknesses, and we close our hearts to others. We may aspire to our image of goodness no matter the cost.

What is it that Jesus is calling us to? Isn't it good to be a good person? Jesus' concern is that we walk closely with him. He knows that in this lies our greatest good. While this means that we may have to change some of our behaviours, it means that we are real and honest with him more fundamentally. We can only journey with Jesus if we bring ourselves to him precisely as we are, warts and all.

Reflect today on what your priorities are in your relationship with God. Do you try to tick all the boxes and be a perfect person? Or do you aim to bring yourself as you are to his loving embrace?

Loving father,

We sometimes try to be perfect people. Our striving for perfection closes 

our hearts to you. Lord, please give us the grace to sit before you 

in honesty and sincerity so that we may journey with your Son and,

 in so doing, be transformed according to your will. 

Amen.