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.

Arise

And it came to pass afterwards, that he went into a city that is called Naim; and there went with him his disciples, and a great multitude. And when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow: and a great multitude of the city was with her. Whom when the Lord had seen, being moved with mercy towards her, he said to her: Weep not. And he came near and touched the bier. And they that carried it, stood still. And he said: Young man, I say to thee, arise. And he that was dead, sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

And there came a fear on them all: and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet is risen up among us: and, God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the country round about.
Luke 7:11-17 (Douay-Rheims)

Prayer

Dear Father how it touches you to see one full of grief at a loss of a loved one. Your Son's mercy is great enough to restore life to a dead heart. Am I moved with mercy towards those who suffer or do I stand back and watch like all the others. Dear Father you know my heart and if there are dead areas in it, I ask for mercy to restore those areas back to life. Where I too can help bring life back to those who have died. Oh dear Father how Jesus brings us back to life even though physically we are not dead, he restores faith, hope and love to a heart grown cold. All I can ask for dear Father is for a heart free from death, death from sin. A heart full of your mercy. Amen

Mercy

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He heard this and said,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
Matthew 9:9-13

Prayer

Dear Father your son brought people to him that were sinners. Those who were seeking healing and forgiveness for their sins. He drew those who were spiritually sick as well as physically. Those who are sick look for healing and turn to Jesus for his mercy. He has so much compassion for those who are ill, because they need him. They are grateful for his love. He asks us to learn the meaning of the words, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." Yet it is hard for us to understand that having compassion for each other gives us the grace to heal. It is hard for us to understand also that when we offer our tears as a sacrifice this is not what it is he is asking for a sacrifice. It is the sacrifice we would give up that frees us to have mercy toward one another. It is opening our hearts to one another and doing for them as we would do for ourselves. We pray for mercy from you dear God, for we are often unloving toward our neighbor, when we too should have mercy for them. May our hearts open to the love you seek from us because it is the love you are generous with for us. Amen