The Publican's Humility - Fr. Gregory - February 9, 2025

This Sunday is the beginning of the Triodion, a three-week period of preparation for Holy Lent which begins with the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. In the Gospel reading, Christ gives a parable contrasting two kinds of prayer, demonstrating the importance of humility.In the parable, a Pharisee and a publican (tax collector) go to the temple to pray. The Pharisee prays by giving thanks to God, but he does so in a self-satisfied manner, esteeming himself for his righteousness. Even though he is indeed righteous — committed to the three pillars of prayer, tithing, and fasting — he lacks humility. He looks down on others, including the publican. In contrast, the publican exhibits humility, saying “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” He examines himself, recognizing his own sin and not the sins of others, and he asks for forgiveness. Christ concludes by saying that the publican went away justified rather than the Pharisee, and he summarizes by saying, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."Fr. Gregory encourages us to ask ourselves whom we resemble — the Pharisee or the publican. He challenges us to take Lent seriously by focusing on the three pillars of prayer, tithing, and fasting, but to do those things in humility, examining ourselves against Christ our model rather than comparing ourselves to others and commenting on others’ sins. This way, we can approach Holy Lent with an attitude of humility such as the publican's.