“O God, be merciful to me a sinner”
Luke 18:13

 
Here Luke takes us to the temple where the Pharisee prays, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity- or even like this tax collector.” The tax collector beats his breast, not even raising his eyes to heaven and prays “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” The tax collector is aware of his transgressions and pleads for pardon. This is a heartfelt petition, a contrite and humbled prayer from the heart. We are all sinners. The desert fathers tell us that judging others is a heavy burden. In Luke 6:37, 41-42, he tells us not to judge others for the splinter in their eye, especially because we do not notice the beam in our own eye.

“A sinner’s awareness of sin is one requisite for his recovery;
the other is his longing for God.
When we long for God, we do so not as sinners, but as lovers.”
-Bishop Fulton Sheen
 

When we admit that we are sinners, we have more compassion for others. At the beginning of Mass in the penitential rite, we confess that “…we have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do…” When we participate at Mass, we say the greatest prayer-for the Mass includes vocal, meditative, and contemplative prayer. The Mass uses forms of prayer to express our love of God. Through contemplative prayer, a prayer of the heart, we begin to know ourselves. It is in listening to the inner voice of God in our heart that we come to know ourselves, and as Fr. Dan recently encouraged us to do, we will discover the splinters we have in our eyes that prevent us from seeing the splendor of God. Like the Pharisee, we often think we are better than others; which makes us prideful, and is one of the seven deadly sins.
 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (NRSV)
 

Reflect on how you have sinned by thought, word, deed or omission lately. Sin is anything that separates us from God. Make time for confession this week with a repentant heart.
 
Lenten Action: If you are a regular practitioner of Contemplative prayer spend your normal time in such prayer.
 
If you are new to spending time in silent prayer, sit comfortably in a quiet place, and ask God to be with you and help you silence your thoughts. Concentrate on your breath going in and out and feel the rising and falling of your chest. Feel the rhythm of your breathing, and as you do bring your contemplation to feeling God’s Presence. Sit for 10 minutes silently. Remain at peace and let go of any intruding wayward thoughts bringing yourself back to the quiet Presence of God in you.   
 
 
Today is not a Fast day, but if you have a mind to abstain from a favorite food or drink, please do so as a means of strengthening your will power. Remember not to watch TV, or use your computer or your phone to access social media, computer games, or other unnecessary apps.