Reflections on the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III reflects on the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, showing that God’s standards are completely different from human standards. God looks at the heart, not at appearance or the abundance of works. The Pharisee boasted of his fasting and prayers, while the Publican offered only a short prayer from a humble heart, yet it was accepted by God.
Main spiritual idea
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God’s measures differ from human measures: people may admire outward religiosity, but God values humility and the inner spirit.
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Depth of prayer matters more than its length: the Publican’s brief prayer was heard because it came from a contrite heart, unlike the Pharisee’s proud, empty words.
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Brokenness is the way to justification: God does not despise a broken and humble heart, but justifies it, as the Psalm says: “A broken spirit is a sacrifice to God.”
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The danger of spiritual pride: the Pharisee fell when he compared himself to others and glorified his own works. Pride separates man from God, even inside the temple.
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Remembering sins is a spiritual virtue: even saints such as David and Paul remembered their sins humbly, because acknowledging weakness brings divine mercy.
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God seeks the heart, not the time: what matters is not the length or words of prayer, but the sincerity and awareness of our need for God’s mercy.
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True prayer is the work of the Spirit: prayer is not mere speech but an inner movement of the heart led by the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual lesson
The Pharisee spoke of his righteousness and left rejected; the Publican confessed his sins and left justified. God accepts humility and repentance, not self-righteousness or pride. True repentance and awareness of one’s weakness lead to justification and eternal life.
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