24 April 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Latin Rite · Syro-Malabar Rite · മലയാളം
“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” Luke 18:13
Two men go up to the temple to pray, and Jesus lets us listen to both. The Pharisee, “standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’” Every word of his list may be true. He really fasts; he really gives. What is wrong is the direction of his gaze: he looks at himself, and then sideways at the tax collector, and hardly at God at all. Luke tells us at the start whom the parable is for: “some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt.” The tax collector, “standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” He has no list. He has only a need, and he names it. And Jesus gives the verdict: “this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” St Augustine said the Pharisee came to the Physician and showed him only his healthy limbs, while the tax collector uncovered his wounds, and so only he was healed (in substance).
The Letter to the Hebrews shows what God does with the humble. It begins with a sober line that follows on from yesterday's feast of a martyr: “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” Then it speaks of discipline, quoting Proverbs: “My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves.” God corrects us not as an angry master but as a father: “he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness.” It hurts at the time, Hebrews admits honestly, “but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” So “lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees.” The reading then gives three warnings. “Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Watch “that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble.” And do not become like Esau, “who sold his birthright for a single meal.” The tax collector let God's discipline reach him, and it healed him. The Pharisee had no room for it; he had already passed judgment on himself and on his neighbour.
Our Church gives us the tax collector's prayer on our lips again and again. In the Holy Qurbono and in every hour of the Shehimo we sing “Kurielaison,” Lord, have mercy, and we bow and make the sign of the Cross. These are not empty repetitions; they are the tax collector beating his breast. This Saturday, as the week ends, is a good day to prepare for Sunday by making a good confession, or at least an honest examination of conscience. Ask yourself the Pharisee's question in reverse: not “how am I better than others?” but “where do I need God's mercy?” Is there a root of bitterness in your family, an old quarrel that keeps sending up shoots? Pursue peace: make one call, send one message, offer one word of reconciliation before you go to the Qurbono tomorrow. The risen Lord, who showed his wounds to Thomas, is not ashamed of ours.
Theme: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
On Saturday of the third week after Qyomtho: two men at prayer, the discipline of a Father, and the pursuit of peace and holiness.
“The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” James 4:10
Apply: Before Sunday, make a good confession, or at least an honest examination of conscience that begins with yourself.
“My child, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11–12
“I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19
Apply: Recall one correction that once hurt and later helped you, and thank God for it.
“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Leviticus 19:2
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8
Apply: Take one concrete step of reconciliation before tomorrow's Qurbono.
The proud man shows God his healthy limbs; the humble man shows his wounds and is healed.
God's discipline is the love of a Father who wants us to share his holiness.
Take-home resolution: Pray the tax collector's prayer with your heart, accept God's correction, and pursue peace before you come to the altar.
Dear friends, Christ is risen! Two men went up to the temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed: God, I thank you that I am not like other people (Luke 18:11), and he gave God a list of his fasts and his gifts. The tax collector stood far off, beat his breast and said: God, be merciful to me, a sinner! (Luke 18:13).
Jesus says the second man went home justified, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 18:14). The Pharisee showed God only his healthy side. The tax collector showed God his wounds, and God healed him.
Hebrews tells us how God heals: by the discipline of a Father. The Lord disciplines those whom he loves (Hebrews 12:6), for our good, in order that we may share his holiness (Hebrews 12:10). So pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14), and let no root of bitterness spring up.
In every Qurbono we pray the tax collector's prayer: Kurielaison, Lord, have mercy. Let us mean it. Today, prepare for Sunday: make a good confession if you can, and take one step to make peace with someone. The risen Lord, who was not ashamed to show his wounds, is not ashamed of ours. Amen.
Children, Christ is risen! Jesus told a story about two men praying. One said: God, I am so good, better than everyone! The other said: God, I have done wrong things, please forgive me. Which one do you think made God happy? The second one! God loves it when we are honest and say sorry. In church we say Kurielaison, which means Lord, have mercy. Tonight, before you sleep, tell Jesus sorry for one thing, and he will give you a big hug of forgiveness.
Lord Jesus Christ, you rose from the dead and showed your wounds to your disciples. Deliver us from the pride that trusts in itself and looks down on others. Give us the humility of the tax collector, who stood far off and asked only for mercy. When the Father disciplines us, let us not lose heart, but receive it as the love that makes us share his holiness. Pull up every root of bitterness in our hearts and homes, help us to pursue peace with everyone, and bring us to see your face. Lord, have mercy on us. You live and reign for ever. Amen.