In this familiar Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, offering a profound lesson on the nature of true prayer and humility before God. The two men go up to the temple to pray, but only one comes away justified.
The Pharisee’s prayer is essentially a self-congratulatory speech. He rehearses his virtues—fasting, tithing, moral superiority—and uses the prayer as a stage to elevate himself by downgrading others: “I am not like other people… or even like this tax collector.” His focus is not on God, but on himself. This kind of prayer, though cloaked in religious language, is ultimately self-serving. Jesus uses this character to warn us about the danger of presumptuousness in the presence of God. The Pharisee assumes he has earned righteousness and sees others as beneath him.
In sharp contrast, the tax collector stands at a distance, won’t lift his eyes to heaven, and simply prays, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” He offers no long list of failures or excuses—just a simple, honest plea. In this moment, he personifies the one essential prerequisite for praying: an honest recognition of our place before the justice and mercy of God. There is no pretence in his prayer—only sincerity, humility, and an openness to God’s grace.
Jesus makes it clear who is truly righteous in God’s eyes. The one who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. This parable invites us to examine our own posture in prayer. Do we come before God with pride, comparing ourselves to others, or with humility, acknowledging our need for mercy?
The tax collector reminds us that we don’t need perfect words or polished piety to approach God. What God desires is a humble heart, a truthful spirit, and a willingness to receive mercy. True prayer begins not in claiming our worth, but in recognising God’s—justice, compassion, and boundless love for the humble.
Fr Stephen Berecz
