God Is - A Merciful God

Beads of Joy 04-02-11

God Is - A Merciful God
©2011 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

Sadly enough, we can not save ourselves, no matter how we act or what we say, it can't be done by ourselves. And unfortunately think about this; if we brag about how wonderful and nice and good we are, that would be the sin of pride filled with much arrogance. Like the Tax Collector, we need to be humble before God's altar. God isn't looking for boastful, prideful, pat themselves on the back people. I know I don't have a list of God's requirements in front of me; but we do know our Lord expects us to honor and praise Him, not ourselves. And our attitude needs to be that of an unworthy servant, because the reality is; no matter how much of a pious life we life; no matter how many times we go to Mass or confession, we are still unworthy, period.

This parable needs to bring into the light, the way we must really be before God. In other words; our heads should be bowed down, not able to look upon the altar out of guilt of our human frailties; remember we are born into sin. We are only worthy because of Jesus' blood, it's nothing we do, or can do that makes us worthy before God. All the "works" of the proud Pharisee meant nothing before God. Especially even more so, since he was so pridefully telling God, while looking down upon the tax collector. When this Pharisee does this, the first thing I think of is Matthew 7:1-5, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

Just take a look at these wonderful scriptures that help guide us:

"This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?" Exodus 10:3

"Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them." Daniel 10:12

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." Romans 12:3

Today's Gospel: Luke 18:9-14
(The Parable of The Pharisee and The Tax Collector)
"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Questions To Ponder Today:
-How should we be praying to God?
-Humility, is the only way to approach God? why or why not?
-Can we justify our pride, or own own righteousness?
-Is seeking God recommended in all things?
(Humble Pie, ever hear of that? Let us always
be humble before God. Open up to God.)
Today beg God for direction and mercy.


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO

Today we pray the Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Birth of Jesus
4. The Presentation in The Temple
5. Finding of Jesus in the Temple