(Photo by Joshua Chehov on Unsplash)
In today’s Gospel (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus tells us the story of two people praying. The Pharisee starts with a list of all the good things he has done and how righteous he is. He is trying to prove that he’s done everything perfectly and makes himself feel better by looking down on others while being oblivious to his own faults.
The tax collector, on the other hand, bows down his head and admits that he has made mistakes and seeks repentance and God’s mercy. Praying is not about being perfect. It’s about worship and asking for help. It is not about being right; it’s about being real.
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) Those who choose pride and arrogance end up in shame, whereas humility will lead to honour. God is not impressed with our perfect score, but He is moved by our compassion. When we pray with humility and honesty, He already knows who we really are.
Praying is about the attitude of your heart; to have a humble heart. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. We are born into sin and need to ask for God’s forgiveness. He wants you to turn back to Him so He can heal your heart.
The church is not a museum to showcase those who believe they are perfect. It’s a place for healing and restoration through faith and community. When we are spiritually wounded or struggling, the church is the place to come to and recover with grace and loving care. To be healed is to be transformed.
Humanity is infected with the sin virus. We need to recognize that we are flawed. The cure is to believe and have faith in Jesus Christ. When we are sick, we usually go to see the doctor and follow his advice. We need to maintain our daily prayers in order to remain spiritually healthy. Most people wait until they experience a spiritual crisis or emergency to come to church.
Along with the teachings of Jesus in the Bible, the church is also equipped with priests and fellow believers to help us along the way, as its mission is to encourage us to take care of ourselves and to serve one another as well.
As long as we persist in our sickness and stay in our sin, we weaken our faith. Sin does not define us. We can choose to grow in faith by deepening our relationship with God and putting our faith into action, not just talk about it. Honesty leads to truth, while sin leads us away. Grace is a free gift from God. It’s like receiving a free pass, a second chance, without deserving it but given out of His love for us.
Is there a doctor in the house? Why, yes, there is! God, the Great Physician, is omnipresent, omnipotent, and always on call. He cures sickness and saves lives. He offers anyone who comes to Him with an honest heart and a willingness to receive what He has to give a better way to spiritual health through salvation and forgiveness of sins.
Antoinette Giacobbe
