The prayer of the Pharisee

Luke 18:11-13 

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

 

 The prayer of the Pharisee

 

The prayer of the Pharisee

echoes through the ages.

“I am glad I am not like him”,

was his battle cry.

“Look at me he whispered”,

in a state of great contentment.

“I am not like that man up there,

he does not even try”.

 

The other one just stood,

looking up at Heaven.

All he could whisper,

“I am full of sin”.

“I’m worn down and helpless.

I’m out of resistance.

Stress and strain have drained me.

You know where I have been.”

 

The Pharisee then moved

in solemn retribution.

He went home and took a bath

for by the other, he felt defiled.

The other on the other hand

just stood there quietly trembling

not knowing God had heard him

and cleansed him from inside.

 

Jan Wienen

This poem is about: 
Me

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