Daily Inspiration

“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.” -Luke 18:914
 
I often wonder, what did the Lord show the tax collector? Once, I stood bathed in the Glory of God, and in His Truth, saw myself clearly for the first time. In that Truth, I saw that God is Lord above all of His creation, and I am but dust. He showed me the effects of sin upon my immortal soul and blessed me to be allowed to see sin coming, yet I still sin.
 
I approach the altar and, from a distance, beat my breast crying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ Yet, in all my failings, I know God loves me more than I can fathom. I understand that each soul is His favorite and is valued more than all the treasures of the world. 
 
Saint Berthold of Mt Carmel, pray for us.
 
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Jesus, I trust in you.