26 March 2022
Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
“O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” These words from the tax collector in today’s Gospel parable (Luke 18:9–14) could serve well as a mantra or refrain for us throughout this day or even the rest of this Lenten season. This short sentence sums up the attitude of humility that ought to mark every Christian. No matter how greatly we strive for holiness—no matter how heartfelt our prayer, how strict our fasting, how generous our almsgiving—we shall always stand in need of God’s mercy. In the moments when we forget this truth, when like the Pharisee in the parable we stand high in our own estimation and look down on others, this prayer of the tax collector can remind us of the deeper and even existential need we have for God’s mercy. Let us, then, take the spirit of this prayer to heart, imploring the Lord for his mercy and asking for the stance of humility which it exemplifies.