“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” – Luke 18:13
Two chefs entered a cooking competition. The first presented a complex dish, listing every rare ingredient and technique. The second offered a simple, warm loaf of bread, saying, “I’ve spent years trying to make this right.” The judges unanimously praised it—its humble honesty carried a quiet perfection the other lacked.
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9–14) remind us how to truly approach God. The Pharisee’s prayer was centred on himself—confident, self-praising, and blind to need. The tax collector, standing at a distance, could only whisper a broken plea for mercy. Jesus declares that it was this man who went home right with God. Divine approval is never earned by boasting of our goodness but received through humble repentance. God listens to those who come with empty hands, not those who parade their achievements. The door to His heart opens not by pride but by need. Come before Him not with your résumé, but with your dependence. The prayer He always hears is the one that confesses, “I need a Saviour.” In His merciful eyes, the humbled heart is always exalted.
Todays devotional – 26 October, 2025 ~ www.dailyfaithechoes.org
A Journey of Reflection and Action
- Journal Prompt: Reflect on moments when pride or self-sufficiency may have hindered your prayers. Write about how humility draws you closer to God.
- Scripture Meditation: Slowly read Luke 18:9–14. Pause after each verse to consider what true repentance looks like in your own life.
- Sharing: Discuss with a friend or study group what it means to “come before God with empty hands.”
- Prayer Focus: This week, begin each prayer by acknowledging your need for mercy and grace before making requests.
- Act of Renewal: Reach out to someone with compassion, remembering that mercy received is mercy to be shared.
Join Us in Prayer
Merciful Father, teach me to approach You with humility and truth. Strip away my pride and fill me with a heart that depends on Your grace. May my prayers flow from repentance and trust, not performance or pride. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Scripture Footnote & Further Reading
Adapted from: Catholic Daily Reading – 26 October 2025
Further Reading:
- First Reading: Sirach 35:12–14, 16–18
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2–3, 17–19, 23
- Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18
- Alleluia: 2 Corinthians 5:19
- Gospel: Luke 18:9–14
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