Luke 18: 9: “[Jesus] also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt.” Some believers will not participate in the Ash Wednesday observance today; some because they deem it foolish superstition, and others, like this Pharisee, because they deem themselves as having progressed beyond the need for such contrition. In either case, they will miss out on the justification experienced by the humble-hearted tax-gatherer. Which will you be today, Pharisee or tax-gatherer?
