Humility is a condition for mercy.

"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."
(Luke 18: 13).

Saturday 13th March 2021, in the 3rd Week in Lent.

God is rich in mercy. The Scriptures of today's Liturgy are rich in Mercy themes. This is not an accident. Without God's merciful love, no person will be saved. The mistake of the Pharisee in today's Gospel is the mistake that most of us make without knowing it. The Church teaches us to keep the Commandments, to pray and do good works. Many of us try to do all these things and maybe more. It is natural that when we stand before God, we hope that He will remember all that we do.

But God sees us through a different lens: He sees us through His eyes of mercy. Remember Jesus encounter with the "man full of leprosy" who approached Him for healing. "Yes, I want to heal you." And Jesus touched the man. If you can imagine yourself as the woman or man full of leprosy when you approach God for mercy and healing, you will receive what you ask for.

Let us observe a couple of things about the tax collector:
He does not raise his eyes to heaven. He beat his chest, a sign of repentance and sorrow. The Church makes us repeat this gesture when we say the Confiteor (I confess to Almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters... " Humility is a condition for receiving mercy.

We cannot think of mercy without remembering the teachings of Jesus on mercy. Mercy is given to whoever asks for mercy no matter the sin. But he who receives mercy must extend mercy.

I like this Fatima Rosary Prayer:
"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead ALL souls to Heaven especially those in most need of Your mercy."
When you say this prayer, you become like a beggar who tells another beggar where you found bread. ABC of Mercy:
#1. Ask for mercy.
#2. Be merciful.
#3. Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com