Luke 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --
greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
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Ang Talinghaga Patungkol sa Fariseo at Maniningil ng Buwis
Lucas 18:9-14
May ilang mga nagtiwala sa kanilang mga sarili na sila ay matuwid at hinamak nila ang iba. Sa kanila ay sinabi rin ni Jesus ang talinghagang ito. Dalawang lalaki ang umahon sa templo upang manalangin. Ang isa ay Fariseo at ang isa ay maniningil ng buwis. Tumayo ang Fariseo at nanalangin siya sa kaniyang sarili ng ganito: Diyos, pinasasalamatan kita na hindi ako katulad ng ibang tao. Hindi ako katulad nila na mga mangingikil, mga hindi matuwid at mga mangangalunya. Hindi rin ako katulad ng maniningil ng buwis na ito.
Dalawang ulit akong nag-aayuno sa loob ng isang linggo. Nagbibigay ako ng ikapu sa lahat ng bagay na aking tinatangkilik.
Ngunit ang maniningil ng buwis na nakatayo sa malayo ay hindi man lamang niya itinataas ang kaniyang paningin sa langit, sa halip ay kaniyang binabayo ang kaniyang dibdib. Sinabi niya: Diyos, pagkalooban mo ako ng iyong habag, ako na isang makasalanan.
Sinasabi ko sa inyo: Ang taong ito ay umuwi sa kaniyang bahay na pinaging-matuwid at ang isa ay hindi. Ito ay sapagkat ang bawat isang nagtataas ng kaniyang sarili ay ibababa, at ang bawat isang nagpapakumbaba ay itataas.
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1 comment:
Sometimes we feel spiritually superior than those who we perceived as sinners, and that's the reason why we disdain them.
The Pharisee in the Gospel represents the type of Christians and Catholics today, who thinks that because they go to Church, pays their tithes, give alms to the poor, has the right to look down or treat sinners as worthless in the eyes of God.
Oftentimes we do this without having any idea that we are committing this self-centredness.
As Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else, I believe Jesus hates this kind of self righteousness.
The Pharisee being misled by his wrong belief, thanked God but forgot to ask anything. While the Tax Collector asked for forgiveness because of being a sinner.
In the end, the Tax Collector got his reward while the Pharisee, blinded by his wrong belief because of his pride, didn't get anything. "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
In the eyes of God, we are all brothers and sisters, sinners or non sinners(perceived), has the opportunity to inherit His kingdom.
Let us try to guide sinners in the right path, perhaps a friend committing adulterous affair, a coworker stealing office supplies, a spouse hating their parents, a classmate who cheats during tests, to avoid committing the sin, but let's not disregard them.
"Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."
God bless you all more than you can ever imagine!
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