Through the Eyes of God

On the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, we enter the Triodion with a focus on humility and repentance. Humility and repentance, of course, go hand in had, as in the absence of humility, pride prevents us from making the metanoia necessary to form true repentance. The Publican and the Pharisee approached the temple to pray from two very different perspectives. The Pharisee, in his pride, saw himself through his own eyes, and liking what he saw, thanked God for who he was, condemning those that he was not. But the publican saw himself as God saw him, and sorrowing for his sins, entreated only the mercy of God. As we prepare to enter Great Lent, may God grant us to see ourselves as he sees us, and bless us with the humility of the Publican, that we might make a good repentance as we prepare to receive our risen Lord.