BE MERCIFUL TO ME, A SINNER

April 02, 2011

 

D A I L Y G O S P E L

 

If we are going to boast about our good works let us be honest about it and give the credit where it is due — to God and not ourselves. Someone who is always boasting about their good works becomes very painful to be with. It is quite clear that they do not really know the truth that every good deed is accomplished with the help and inspiration of the grace of God. St. Paul tells us that we should always be thankful (to the Lord) for His goodness to us. Let us then boast in the Lord and not in ourselves.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

in one year

Luke 18:9-14

9 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. 10 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 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. 12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 13 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.’ 14 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.”