A reflection on the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. Luke 18:10-14
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ Lk 18:10-12
Today we have heard the recount of the Publican and the Pharisee.
One (the Pharisee) a proud man looking for the admiration of his peers and anyone who saw him perform these so called "acts of prayer". When in actual fact had never prayed in true sincerity but rather waffling on about who knows what.
The second man on the hand (Publican) knew that he was imperfect; acknowledging his failings and shortcomings, crying out to God in wholeheartedness "Have mercy upon me a sinner!"
Thus, at one stage or another we have all witnessed such behaviour whether being in school, work or even church within the ranks of the clergy.
I recall and will never forget a time when I fell victim to the sin of pride. I was fifteen years old and my school went on an overnight excursion. The teachers had prepared some team building exercises which made the students collaborate as a team and the winner would win a prize.
Well, one of the exercises was cooking. My team chose to put on a BBQ. Now I knew this one recipe that my parents had shown me which was amazing, so we prepared it.
Therefore, after all the teams had finished it was judging time. The team I was on won the activity and of course we were overjoyed as young kids are. However, I took it one step further boasting how it was because of my recipe that we won. And I remember approaching our year level coordinator and saying to him - "You like the meat? It's good isn't it?
Well he taught me an extremely valuable lesson that brought me back to reality quick-smart.
He replied - "Yes. The meat is cooked and seasoned fabulously however, the way you are carrying on had made it taste not so great! You should learn to be a bit more humble instead of carrying on the you have been!"
My smile filled with pride quickly disappeared and I felt so ashamed. However, I thank my year level coordinator till this very day because that lesson he taught me that day will forever remain with me!
“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.’ Lk 18:13
One of the greatest prayers of the Church and the most simple but powerful pray is the Jesus prayer - "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Have mercy upon me a sinner" - taken from Luke 18:13.
This prayer is used by all Orthodox Christians and has worked miracles just by simply and humbly invoking the All-Holy name of Jesus Christ!
For example I use the Jesus prayer when performing house blessings and I know just for arguments sake, if I only used that prayer alone, to invoke God to come and sanctify that dwelling/home it would be sufficient!
Having stated thus, for Monastics that live in the monasteries the Jesus prayer helps them to fulfil Saint Paul's instructions to pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
However, how does a lay person who is married with children, has a fulltime job and is always on the go pray without ceasing. Could you imagine working in retail and a customer walks in asking for assistance and the worker says to them "sorry I'm praying without ceasing? The worker would be out the door and out of a job.
So again, how dose a person who is constantly on the go pray without ceasing?
This is achieved by recognising God's love and presence in all places fill all things - as stated in the prayer of the Heavenly King.
Just the act of acknowledging the presence of Christ in a person or gratitude for having met someone who was filled with grace is a prayer in itself. However, this can be achievable by two things, living out the faith (e.g), - receiving the Mysteries of the Church and living out Christ's commandments, and humility, to never see oneself better than another but rather as child of God for He (God) loves all of humanity and desires the salvation of every person who walks this earth!
Saint Haralambos bishop of Magnesia year 200 AD was like all Saints who shed their blood for Christ and His Church a model of humility. Even while his torturers were skinning him alive, he turned to them with sincere gratitude and said “I thank you, brethren, that you have restored my spirit, which longs to pass over to a new and everlasting life!”.
When the torturers heard this, the Holy Spirit filled their hearts with peace and they too began to profess Christ as their God. Sadly the two torturers Porphyrius and Baptus also became Holy Martyrs that day along with three women in the crowd that began to profess Christ.
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Lk 18:14
In conclusion, the key to become a model Christian is Humility. Through humility, all can be accomplished - love, charity, community, the worship of the All-Holy-Trinity and most importantly salvation!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy upon me a sinner.
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