Monday, November 03, 2008


SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #392

" Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: 'O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14)

RASH-JUDGMENT: In his pride the Pharisee not only despised his fellow-men, but judged them rashly, putting them all down, collectively, as great sinners. He congratulated himself on not being a robber, and yet, all the while, he was robbing his neighbors of their good name! Pride makes a man uncharitable, for a proud man is so full of self-love that he cannot find room for the love of his neighbor!

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please no anonymous comments. I require at least some way for people to address each other personally and courteously. Having some name or handle helps.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.