Κύριος Notes

Adoration

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

I want to see You

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

I want to see You

Scripture Reflection:Luke 18


9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

By external standards it seems as if this gentleman has it all together. He prays, he fasts, he tithes his income.


Yet in the middle of these good things he is comparing himself to the people that surround him. When it comes to spiritual disciplines it one of the most counterproductive activities that can be engaged in to compare. For all his efforts, he ends up a self rightouess, judgemental , foolish man.

I am called to follow. What does it matter how you work with others? It has nothing to do with me. Sometimes it doesn't seem fair, but you didn't say it would be fair. In fact I am eternally gratiful that you were not just with me, Lord Jesus. If you were just it would be incredibley fair but I would be without hope, and without grace.

13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

I have only the prayer for mercy that I can say...in the middle of this life that is so complex and twisted on its head...all that I can say is "God have mercy on me a sinner!"

14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

So the rule is humblity bring exaltation...I come to you Lord in need of forgiveness again and again and I know that only through you mercy can I hope to find the grace that I need.

Lord Jesus in my moments and my days teach me the ways of humility and grace. The strange thing Lord is I can't see from my perspective always which of these people I am. Open the eyse of my heart Lord to see my enduring need of you everyday and every moment.