The Heart That God Hears

 The Heart That God Hears

Reflection on Luke 18:9–14
(The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of two men who went up to the temple to pray—one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood proudly, listing all the good things he had done: fasting twice a week, paying his tithes, and living a morally upright life. He compared himself to others—especially to the tax collector—and thanked God that he was not like them.

Meanwhile, the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even lift his eyes to heaven. He simply beat his breast and prayed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” And Jesus tells us that it was the tax collector—not the Pharisee—who went home justified before God.

This parable goes straight to the heart of what true prayer and righteousness mean. The Pharisee’s words may have been pious, but his heart was full of pride and self-righteousness. He used prayer as a mirror to admire himself rather than as a window to see God. On the other hand, the tax collector’s prayer was short and simple, but it flowed from deep humility and repentance. He recognized his sinfulness and threw himself upon God’s mercy—and that’s why his prayer reached heaven.

God does not measure us by the number of our good deeds alone, but by the humility with which we do them. Pride closes the door to grace; humility opens it wide. The proud say, “I can save myself.” The humble say, “Lord, I need You.” The Pharisee came to the temple full of himself; the tax collector came empty and left filled with mercy.

In our own lives, we may sometimes act like the Pharisee—judging others, comparing ourselves, or relying too much on our accomplishments. But Jesus reminds us that holiness is not about being better than others—it’s about being honest before God. When we come before Him with humility, He lifts us up.

As Catholics, we are invited to pray not from a position of pride, but from a place of truth—acknowledging both our weakness and God’s greatness. In every Mass, we echo the tax collector’s words when we say, “Lord, have mercy.” This is not a prayer of despair, but of hope—because we know that God’s mercy is greater than our sin.

Key Takeaway

True prayer begins with humility. God listens not to the proud heart that boasts, but to the humble heart that repents. When we come before Him honestly, His mercy transforms us.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,
teach me to pray with a humble and sincere heart.
Save me from the pride that blinds me
and from the self-righteousness that separates me from others.
May I always rely on Your mercy and live each day in gratitude for Your grace.
Amen.