The gospel for Saturday of the third week of Lent is taken from Luke 18th chapter, 9th to the 14th verse. Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. Two people went up to the temple area to pray. One was a Pharisee, the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to oh God, I thank you that I’m not like the rest of humanity, greedy, dishonest, adulterous, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week.

I pay tithes on my whole income. 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. I know you probably have people in your life like I do that seem to always be pointing out the negative, mostly in someone else. And there’s something about a disposition of self righteousness that does tend to be critical of everyone who isn’t doing what they think they should be doing.

It’s usually a sign that they’re really not content with what they are or who they are. So bless us with an understanding of the human nature that we all share so that we will not focus so much on judgment, but understanding and forgiveness. The closing prayer Father, free us from the spirit of criticism and condemnation. It sneaks into our vocabulary. We find ourselves often picking at other people, picking at situations, always pointing out what is wrong. Bless us with the release of that and let us look always toward that which is positive.

Honoring those who do well, complimenting those who do well. And we ask this in Jesus name, amen.