The Prayer That Counts
Another time, speaking to people who were satisfied that they were religious, and who regarded every one else with scorn, Jesus told this parable—
“Two men went up into the Temple Courts to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way—
“‘O God, I thank thee that I am not like other men —thieves, rogues, adulterers—or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.’ Meanwhile the tax-gatherer stood at a distance, not venturing even ‘to raise his eyes to Heaven’; but he kept striking his breast and saying, ‘O God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ This man, I tell you, went home pardoned, rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, while every one who humbles himself shall be exalted.”
Against Hindering Others
Jesus said to his disciples:
“It is inevitable that there should be snares; yet alas for him who is answerable for them! It would be good for him if he had been flung into the sea with, a millstone round his neck, rather than that he should prove a snare to even one of these lowly ones. Be on your guard.
On Dealing With Wrong-Doers
“If your brother does wrong, reprove him; but, if he repents, forgive him. Even if he wrongs you seven times a day, but turns to you every time and says ‘I am sorry,’ you must forgive him.”
—Luke.
“The hand that rocks the cradle makes the history of the world.”