+ The tax collector, completely aware of the enormity of his sin,
and therefore, of his sin, and
therefore of his unworthiness, beats his breast and prays, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”
Where does he get the
confidence to do this?
His experience of limitation
and failure has led him, not to despair, but to depend.
He remains certain that there
is something beyond “every evil threat” and that the Lod will rescue him.
Maybe it was his sin that jogged
his memory of the promise of Sirach: “The Lord hears the cry of the oppressed.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds.”
This is why the formerly
unspeakably sinful Paul can say without boasting: “From now on the crown of
righteousness awaits me.” For “whoever
humbles himself / herself will be exalted.” And this goes for anyone and
everyone running for any kind of position of responsibility and trust – like being
President of the United States.
The
candidate who most resembles the meek, humble, good heart of Christ the Lord is
the candidate to vote for – the one who least resembles it is the
one to flee from – but pray for his/her conversion to the Lord and to life,
love, joy and peace! Prayer can move mountains, and fill in valleys!
Let
the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strength;
constantly seek his face.
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