Today’s Gospel: Luke 18, 9-14
This is a difficult Gospel to reflect on because it points the finger at all of us who try hard to do the right thing on a daily basis. Like the Pharisee, it can be all too easy for us to feel smug and superior. We can look around at others and think, “Well, I may have my (minor) faults, but at least I haven’t done (fill in the blank).”
This Gospel convicts us of the sin of pride, and many of us, myself included, are guilty as charged. God doesn’t want to hear a litany of the good things that we have done. Instead, He wants us to look honestly at our hearts, and see the areas where we need to improve.
How can we love God and neighbor more? We can start by not judging others. We can keep our eyes on our own paper and worry about all of our own faults and failings, including that sin of pride we seem to fall into so often. God wants us to be like the tax collector, truly sorry and begging for His mercy.
Ponder:
When was the last time you went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation? God is waiting to offer you pardon and peace. Look up the times the Sacrament is available and write it on your calendar. Make it a priority to go!
Pray:
Dear God, please help me be aware of the areas in my life where I need to improve. Please help me to love both You and my neighbor more each day.
Copyright 2016 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur is a life-long Roman Catholic, homeschooling mom of two teen boys and an adopted young girl. The editor of Today’s Catholic Homeschooling, she is also the author of “The Catholic Baby Name Book” and “Letters to Mary from a Young Mother,” and has a Master’s Degree in Applied Theology. She blogs at spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com
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