The Gospel parable tells of two men who go up to the Jerusalem Temple to pray.

One is a Pharisee, a member of the group known for their religious piety; the other is a tax collector, often seen as a sinner in the eyes of society. The Pharisee is seen standing in the Temple. His posture already shows a certain type of arrogance, when he does not feel the need to prostrate before the majesty of God.

With a sense of superiority, he compares himself to the “rest of humanity”— whom he describes as “greedy, dishonest, adulterous”—or even like the tax collector. Although he begins with a thanksgiving to God for all the blessings received, he goes to list down his own merits and good works, such as fasting twice a week, and paying tithes (v 12).

Actually, he is not praying to God; he is praying to himself, since all his praises are self-laudatory and reflections of himself. His attitude is contrary to God’s ways, for God does not despise sinners.

On the other hand, the “tax collector” represents those who do not know the Law, much less observe them. He also represents the rest of humanity, who are all sinners and in need of God’s mercy. Pope Francis notes:

“The parable teaches us that a man is just or sinful not because of his social class, but because of his way of relating to God and how he relates to his brothers and sisters. Gestures of repentance and the few and brief words of the tax collector bear witness to his awareness of his own miserable condition.

His prayer is essential. He acts out of humility, certain only that he is a sinner in need of mercy. If the Pharisee asked for nothing because he already had everything, the tax collector can only beg for the mercy of God.

And this is beautiful: to beg for the mercy of God! Presenting himself with ‘empty hands,’ with a bare heart and acknowledging himself to be a sinner, the tax collector shows us all the condition that is necessary in order to receive the Lord’s forgiveness.

In the end, he is the one, so despised, who becomes an icon of the true believer” (General Audience, June 1, 2016). When we pray to the Lord, we let him examine everything that we are—our thoughts, our feelings—in all honesty and without hypocrisy.

After all, God knows everything that we have done and failed to do. What he expects is a contrite and humbled heart, which he will not scorn (Ps 51:19). To have a contrite spirit means to feel guilty or remorseful of our wrongdoing and to seek forgiveness.

After confessing our sinful condition to the Lord, Jesus Christ will justify us before God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit.