Measured Progress

Mass Readings: March 1

First:	Hosea 6:1-6
Resp:	Psalm 51:3-4,18-21
Gospel:	Luke 18:9-14

Luke 18:13  But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 

The parable of the two men that went to pray is one of my favorite passages.  Here is what God requires of us.  He doesn't want sacrifice or burnt offerings but mercy.  David says that his sacrifice is a contrite heart.

The pharisee was counting his own righteousness and banking on that to distinguish himself apart from the sinful "tax collectors".  The tax collector, however, had a better grasp of reality.  We can do nothing, nor can we impress God with our works of righteousness.  All we can do is humbly confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness. Until we realize that we will either keep searching for our justification or we will settle for a false sense of security. 

I fear that much of the modern church has that false sense of security.  We look at how active we are, how big our churches are, how much we give, how we are making a difference.  But God wants us first to recognize that we need to confess, repent, and humbly seek His forgiveness and sustenance.  Then we can look forward with hope and walk in faith.  But to continuously measure our progress is to make no progress at all.

Father, it is easy and tempting to measure or progress.  Help me to see that it is only by your grace that we can have life.  It is only by your mercy that we can be justified.  It is only by your spirit that we can have a hope of eternal life. God, be merciful to me a sinner.

Amen