Ever Mindful of Our Sins

And to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, he spoke also this parable:two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O god, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather that the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.
Luke 18:9-14 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father at some point in our lives we all must have prayed in this way to some extent. We are not perfect in our prayers, nor are we good at praying at times. Thinking about these words dear Father, don't we at times do exactly what Jesus had said in our prayers. Such as thank you God for not making me like them or not making me poor or cripple, or a sinner and so forth. We have a habit to thank you for what we are happy we are not. Rather instead of thanking you for the life we have no matter how difficult or trying it can be. If we truly really think about this long and hard, when we look at the television, or movies from theatres and how people dress in this day and age, we all commit adultery against you. Because our thoughts are not with you, they are focused instead on watching acts played out often in scenes that take our mind away from you and our loved ones. Let us be mindful that we are sinners and in constant need of your mercy. I pray that we do not elevate ourselves but humble our hearts to you dear Father, knowing that you forgive when we are honest with ourselves about our sinfulness. More than anything let us seek reconciliation with you dear Father, for your mercy is great and so is your love.