October 27, 2019
-
Both the Pharisee and the tax collector today come to the assembly to pray, one in thanksgiving for all the good he has in his life and one recognizing his shortcomings and asking for mercy. Both are good people and both are in relationship with God and their community. It is the manner in which they live these relationships that differs.
The Pharisee is thankful that God has allowed him to be outstanding in his holiness. Unfortunately he uses this holiness to disconnect himself from his sisters and brothers. After all, he is not like the rest. The tax collector, on the other hand, recognizes that connection and expresses sorrow as he asks to be reconnected to God. Life in the covenant means that we live these relationships with a deep connection to God and our sisters and brothers in the community. We are a community that is holy but not yet perfect. We are a community that still seeks mercy because, though we are good, we still fall from grace. We are both saint and sinner.
Our prayer then is one of thanksgiving for the good we do in the name of the Lord for and with each other, bit it is also a prayer asking mercy for those times we still fall and need God’s help. Our prayer is one of renewal and humility as we place ourselves completely in God’s hands in faith and trust. We come to the assembly with our sisters and brothers to share our story, both good and bad, that we might become better. We encourage one another to try harder, to be stronger and to grow in grace. We are two sides of the coin, saint and sinner. We give thanks for all the good God does with us, through us and for us. We pray for God’s healing mercy that we may always do better and be more in His name.