Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/631

 of all  that  I possess.’  But  the  publican,  standing  afar  off,  would not so  much  as  lift  his  eyes  towards  heaven,  but  struck  his breast, saying:  ‘O  God,  be  merciful  to  me  a sinner!’  I say  to you,  this  man  went  down  to  his  house  justified  rather  than  the other. Because every  one  that  exalteth  himself  shall  be  humbled, and he  that  humbleth  himself  shall  be  exalted.”

Pride. The Pharisee  sinned  by  pride:  1. He thought  too  highly of himself. 2. He  did  not  give  due  glory  to  God. 3. He  despised  his fellow-men. His prayer,  therefore,  was  no  prayer;  it  was  nothing  but a discourse in  praise  of  himself. With the  utmost  pride  and  self-righteousness  he  related  to  God  all  the  good  works  he  had  performed (of which,  however,  he  was  only  able  to  enumerate  two),  and  implied that Almighty  God  must  be  very  glad  to  have  such  a valuable  servant as himself! Is it  not  loathsome  and  irritating  to  see  a wretched  man dare to  extol  himself  before  God  in  such  a manner! Is not  pride  like this stupid  and  despicable! Of what  good  could  his  fasts  be  if  he  did not practise  them  with  a conviction  of  his  guilt  before  God,  and  in  a spirit  of  penance? He had  no  longing  for  the  Redeemer. He asked not for  pardon,  because  he  imagined  himself  to  be  a perfect  servant of God,  without  sin,  and  therefore  without  need  of  pardon! This shows us how  completely  pride  can  blind  a man.

Rash judgment.  In  his  pride  the  Pharisee  not  only  despised  his fellow-men, but  judged  them  rashly,  putting  them  all  down,  collectively, as great  sinners. He congratulated  himself  on  not  being  a robber,  and yet, all  the  while,  he  was  robbing  his  neighbours  of  their  good  name! Pride makes  a man  uncharitable,  for  a proud  man  is  so  full  of  self-love that he  cannot  find  room  for  the  love  of  his  neighbour!

A good intention.  The  Pharisee  performed  certain  good  works; but the  good  which  he  did  lost  all  merit  in  the  sight  of  God,  because