Episode 12 The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Welcome to another episode of '2 Minutes with the Lord,' where we delve into the profound lessons of Jesus's parables and their direct relevance to our daily lives. I'm your host, Fr. Dominic Veigas SVD, and today we're exploring The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. This story is not just a historical account but a mirror reflecting our approaches to spirituality and humility. Let's unpack this powerful lesson and see how it resonates with our personal and spiritual journeys. In the Gospel of Luke 18:10-14, this parable features two men going to the temple to pray. One is a Pharisee, respected and outwardly righteous; the other, a tax collector, widely despised in that society. The Pharisee stands and prays about himself, thanking God that he is not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. He boasts about fasting twice a week and giving a tenth of all he gets. In contrast, the tax collector stands at a distance, not even willing to look up to heaven, and beats his breast, saying, ''God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'' Jesus concludes by saying that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God. All those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."