March 30 Lenten Devotional "Have Mercy On Me, a Sinner"

OPENING PRAYER. . .Loving God, Creator of all that is, here I am--today in this place that you have given me, with all the senses you have given me. Help me to use them to experience you on a deeper level. May I experience you all around me, open me to know more of your ways and know that your goodness surrounds me. Thank you for this time to be with you and to just listen. Amen

LISTEN. . The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’" (Luke 18:11-13)

CONSIDER. . . I love to watch football. One of the things that seems to be on the increase on the football field is what happens when a player scores.  Many times after the touchdown is scored, the player drops to his knees, crosses himself and points skyward.  A wonderful gesture, if they are sincere in their praise. . .but I sometimes have my doubts.  Now, I don't know for sure, and have no way of knowing for sure, who is sincere and who is not. I'm just always a little uncomfortable with this grandiose display of prayer.

This parable speaks of both the posture and prayer of a Pharisee and of a tax collector.  the Pharisee separates himself from others in order to remain pure.  His prayer is all about himself and how righteous he is. He is aware of the tax collector in the temple and regards him and others like him with contempt.  He begins to become absorbed and impressed with his own virtue and asks nothing of God. The tax collector on the other hand, stands off to the side, feeling unworthy, trying not to be seen, and acknowledges his unworthiness before God.  He beats his breast and asks for mercy.

SO WHAT. . . This parable is not only about the proper posture for prayer but also speaks of the way the Pharisee regarded the tax collector.  The Pharisee totally disregards him. The Pharisee has lots of religious virtue and piety, but only judgment for his neighbor, the tax collector.

We hear the truth again--only those who show MERCY and FORGIVENESS to others will receive MERCY and FORGIVENESS.

• What areas in your life are in need of God's mercy and forgiveness?
• Do you struggle to show others mercy and forgiveness?

During this Lenten season is God calling you to be honest about how you share mercy and forgiveness. . .

PRAYER. . . Dear God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Bless me with the virtue of humility and give me a heart full of mercy, especially to those I find difficult to love. Amen

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