Spiritual Connections

                                    This Sunday’s Gospel:

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:  

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people — robbers, evildoers, — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECTION:

Some people like just salt on their food and other people like only pepper. Like black and white, salt and pepper seem to be opposites. But some people like them both and use them together, as complements to each other’s flavour. The proud Pharisee and the humble sinner seem to be opposites, but they can also be seen as complements as well.

The proud Pharisee was able to understand the good things about himself. This gave him confidence to pray in thanksgiving for his blessings. It’s good to be thankful for blessings, but Jesus would probably say the proud Pharisee took it a bit too far.

The humble sinner was able to understand the flaws in himself. But still he had the confidence to pray for forgiveness and mercy. It’s good to be aware of all our flaws, but a person could take this a bit too far as well.

Is it possible to have a healthy pride in our talents, as well as a healthy humility in our place on earth as a servant of God? What would that look like? How would you know when you had achieved such a balance?

Kylie Smith CESL LTD.

       Events/Dates:

Term 4:

Please refer to School Calendar for all upcoming Events.

         More information about specific events will be communicated closer to the dates.

                                                                             Kind regards,

                                                                          Tony McDonald