February 10, 2022

“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.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.” (Luke 18:  13-14)

In the parable, it is the scoundrel, rather than the upright religious man, who is justified (made right, made whole) by God. All well and good, since we know that we are justified by faith rather than by works.

But what happens when this same man does all his scoundrely, conniving, and nefarious misdeeds non stop when he leaves the temple? And then shows up the next week, head down, praying the same prayer? Well, the exact same outcome: he goes home justified. And the next week and the week, month, year, decade after that? Same result.

We may get tired of people being people, but God does not. Good thing for us, too.

“Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 18 – BCP p. 233)