Demands

“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.” (Luke 18:14).

Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Gracespacelight)

It is so easy to convince myself that I am charitable.  I can set myself small goals and smash through them and consider myself a veritable Saint.  In fact, that is my pride speaking, and instead of sanctity, I am experiencing weakness and sin in a way that limits what I do and allows me to approach my beloved as the Pharisee rather than the sinner…

“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, adulterers—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.” (Luke 18:10-14).

And I have been reflecting on that parable today, because I can see the point of that parable is to look at the demands of the interior life.

It is one thing to publicly present as a charitable soul – and an important thing at that.  After all, if I am only Christian in private and hide my Christianity in public, then I am not presenting truthfully the message of my Beloved.  But it is quite another thing to be hollow – to be Christian in appearance only.  This is a terrible sin and hypocrisy.  Christ Himself often criticised this – even here, in that parable.  God does not want me to pray with public submission only to hold myself up with pride before God who sees all that is in my heart…

I have been thinking about this in terms of my role within the Church.  You see, if I am focused on my own improvement – spiritually – it is not really a singular concern.  It is a universal one.  And what I mean by this is that a focus on my own spirituality and charity and inner life will allow me to become a better Christian.  And this improvement in Christianity will allow me to become useful to the Church.  And this usefulness will be expressed through more good deeds, better attitude, stronger prayers, more loving sacrifices.

In other words, if I am more demanding of myself with Christian Charity, then my neighbours problems will become my problems and I will exert myself to solve those problems though faith, hope and charity.

And the demands of that charity – which could also be called love – are such that I must hold myself accountable for this love.  And God will see it inside me – as He sees all things…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.