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29. Of the Pharisee and the Publican.

Two men went into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood apart and prayed thus: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people, robbers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and tithe everything I have.’ But the tax collector stood afar off and would not lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner!’

What does the Saviour of men teach in this parable? He who thinks himself to be pious and is not; he who is careful to avoid gross misdeeds and does only outwardly beautiful works, and despises others, is still far from the grace of God. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

‘Truly,’ said Jesus, ’the tax collector went down to his house justified before the Pharisee. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled. But he who humbles himself will be exalted.’