“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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Lk 18:9-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031823.cfm
The Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee is the source of the Jesus Prayer: ¨Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.¨ After the Resurrection, the Virgin Mary remained in prayer with the disciples and ever since has always been a symbol of a heart in tune with God.
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Saturday, Week III, Lent, Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lent
