Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 18, 9-14

Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Pray Humbly

1) To pray. This is how the Gospel starts, two people go to the temple to pray. Prayer is essential in our lives. It is the moment when we come together with God, the moment which quietens our hearts and allows us to talk to Him about your troubles. Do you seek this time with God? Do you schedule it? Do you defend your time with God? You must find the time to tell God what you feel and what you are going through. God talks in silence.

2) Praying to be in the spotlight. That describes the person who only seeks to shine, a person who is self-centered and who only seeks God to certify all his actions. He does not ask God for signs to do His will but rather seeks God to ask Him for a free hand to do his own will.

3) Praying humbly. This describes the person that recognizes his weakness and is aware that he will not accomplish anything alone. He turns to God because he is in need and knows he is a sinner. He does not seek a reward, but his peace of mind, instead. Today, you can change your life with time dedicated to prayer.

God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And remember, Heaven is our goal.