Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, 

but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, 

a sinner.” (Luke 18:10, 13)

Luke 18:9–14

The tax collector pleads with the Lord, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”. He says this standing off at a distance, refusing to lift his eyes to heaven. This prayer was inward-looking and honest; an act of humility and an acceptance of his unworthiness before God.

St Ignatius of Loyola teaches a profound way to begin our prayer. He says, “A step or two before the place where I am to contemplate or meditate, I will stand for a space of an Our Father and, with my consciousness raised high, consider how the Lord looks upon me. Then I will make an act of reverence or humility.” (SpExx #75)

St Ignatius invites us to “consider how the Lord my God looks upon me” as we begin our prayers. This reminds us to pause before we pray and reflect on this simple fact: God is already there waiting for us; the Lord is already present in the room looking at us.

The tax collector would not raise his eyes to heaven; I believe this was an act of humility before the Lord. He comes before the Lord humble and aware of his need for the Lord's mercy.

How might you come before the Lord today? What grace do you need from the Lord today?  I invite you to pause for a minute, close your eyes and imagine that God is looking at you. What do you see? How do you feel? God is always looking at us, waiting for us to return his gaze and open our hearts to him.

Reflections by Morongoa Selepe

Loving Lord,
thank you for your love and ever-presence in my life. 

Help me come back to you with humility and 

ask for your mercy. 

Amen.

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