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| "The Pharisee and the Publican" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST READING: Sirach 35: 12 - 14, 16 - 18
12
And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and
there is not with him respect of person.
13
The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will
hear the prayer of him that is wronged.
14
He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless; nor the widow,
when she poureth out her complaint.
16
For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that
heareth will not be delighted with them.
17
He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall
approach even to the clouds.
18
The prayer of him that humbleth himself, shall pierce the clouds: and
till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and he will not depart
till the most High behold. And the Lord will not be slack, but will
judge for the just, and will do judgment.
2
I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be always in my
mouth.
3
In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the meek hear and rejoice.
17
But the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil things:
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
18
The just cried, and the Lord heard them: and delivered them out of
all their troubles.
19
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will
save the humble of spirit.
23
The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants: and none of them that
trust in him shall offend.
6
For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my
dissolution is at hand.
7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept
the faith.
8
As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the
Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to
me, but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me
quickly.
16
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all forsook me: may it
not be laid to their charge.
17
But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that by me the
preaching may be accomplished, and that all the Gentiles may hear:
and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18
The Lord hath delivered me from every evil work: and will preserve me
unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
9
And to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others,
he spoke also this parable:
10
Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the
other a publican.
11
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.
12
I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess.
13
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.
14
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.
