In the first Gospel reading of the famous parable of the pharisee and the publican, we are instructed how to pray to God. He had just finished giving another parable of the importance of praying constantly.
He lovingly “teaches us in what manner we ought to make our requests unto Him, in order that the act may not prove unrewarded to them who practice it; and that no one may anger God, the bestower of gifts from on high, by means of those very things by which he imagines that he shall gain some benefit.” -St. Cyril of Alexandria
First, we see that the two men went up into the temple to pray. “This is the nature of prayer, it brings a man up from the earth into heaven before the God who is over all.” - St. Gregory Palamas
The Pharisee prays with himself. How often we see those that don’t know how to pray, use prayer to give a speech. Many times, these prayers go on and on and never beg God to have mercy.
The Pharisee says that he is the only man that is not sinful and then adds the publican to the ranks of sinners. He then lists his ascetic accomplishments without acknowledging that it was with God’s help that he accomplished anything.
“In all his words seek out for any one thing that he asked of God, and you will find nothing.” - St. Augustine
The Pharisee compared himself to sinners to lift himself up to great heights. We all do this at one time or another when we think to ourselves, well, at least I haven't killed anyone or have done some of the bad things that criminals do daily. We take comfort in the fact that there are people out there more wicked than ourselves, because it allows us to feel better about our own sins. If all these evil people were not there to compare to, our conscience wouldn't be so clear and we would actually have to face the fact that we are not as holy as we have tricked ourselves into believing. We do not want the salvation of all these sinners, because they are our method of coping.
St. Cyril of Alexandria says: “No man because he is in health ridicules one who is sick for being laid up and bedridden: rather he is afraid, lest perchance he become himself the victim of similar sufferings. Nor does any man in battle, because another has fallen, praise himself for having escaped from misfortune. For the infirmity of others is not a fit subject for praise for those who are in health.”
The Pharisee was all too happy to have the Publican there to compare himself to, never stopping once to think of him as a fellow member of God’s people in need of help. His sin was using the weak for gain and not desiring their salvation. It is not wrong to notice the sins of others. Only by doing so, can we find ways to bring back people to correct living and to pray for God to give them eyes to see their sin. Saint John the Baptist called many of the Jews sons of vipers, intent on their conversion, not on lifting up his ego.
Also, “The circumstances of our lives are directed by a higher providence and often, with little or no effort on our part, by God’s help we have stayed out of reach of many great passions, delivered by His sympathy for our weakness. We should acknowledge the gift and humble ourselves before the giver, not be conceited.” - St. Gregory Palamas
Even if we lead an excellent and elect life, we shouldn’t “exact wages from the Lord; but rather ask of Him a gift.” - St. Cyril of Alexandria
If we pray with pride and arrogance, our “labor will be unrewarded; for we have mingled dung with our perfume. Even according to the law of Moses a sacrifice that had a blemish was not capable of being offered to God.” -St. Cyril of Alexandria
Then we hear how “the publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”
“The Publican stood afar off; and yet he was in deed near to God.” - St. Augustine
“He did not dare to look upwards, his conscience pressed him down: but hope lifted him up.” - St. Augustine
“He was ashamed to lift up his eyes to heaven, for he considered his eyes unworthy of heavenly vision because they had desired to see and to enjoy the good things of earth. And he smote himself upon the breast, striking his heart, as it were, because of its evil designs, and awakening it because it had been sleeping.” - St. Theophylact
It is not a coincidence that only in the Orthodox Church do we apply both teachings of our Lord in our Liturgy, to pray constantly, and to humbly ask God to have mercy on us sinners. The Jesus prayer also applies the two teachings of our Lord.
St. Caesarius of Arles explains the lessons learned in this parable nicely saying: “Men who think more attentively about the salvation of their souls throw the good which they do behind their back, and place before their eyes the evil which has overtaken them. In the present life they blush over their sins, striving with all the devotion of faith to heal what was wounded, to revive what was dead, and to cleanse what was defiled.”
As we prepare to enter into lent, let us learn from our loving Lord’s parables on how to pray. Then we will be able ascend to the heavens in prayer, to share in Christ’s resurrection, to whom be the glory, honor, and worship, with the Father and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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