False Piety

“Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.”

Luke 18:9

It can be a temptation for regular churchgoers to think perhaps we might be in some way better than those who only go to Church once in a while or never at all. This can be dangerous territory. Absolutely. Should we go to Church every Sunday? Absolutely. Is it good that we go to Church every Sunday? Does it make us any better? Not necessarily.

The answer lies in the intention that is within our heart. Why do we go to Church? Because we have to? Because it’s an obligation? What do I do at Church? Do I simply stand when others stand, sit when others sit, kneel when others kneel, and say the responses from memory? Our physical bodies may be in those pews, but where are our hearts?

In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Jesus discusses the concept of “self-righteousness” and the eternal consequences of that. Both went up to the Temple area to pray, but only one actually prayed, while the other boasted about himself. Although the Pharisee went to the Temple, his heart was not set on God, but rather on all of the good things he thinks he is doing. On the other hand, the tax collector in his humility and perhaps even in his shame, bows down his head and pleads for mercy to God. Both were in the same place, in the same sacred space, but only one for the right reason. God only heard the tax collector because only the tax collector was talking with Him from his heart. Who do we talk to when we pray?

Brothers and sisters, where are our hearts? Do we focus on what we have done and the many good things we may be doing or do we focus on the many good things God has done for us, through us, and in us? Prayer is not about talking at God, but rather talking with God. True piety requires humility and knowing that we are not perfect and are in need of God’s mercy. Let us take a good look at our hearts today and invite God inside, confident that He will hear us and have mercy on us.

“I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).