The people praying to themselves

Before we get started, please read my previous article, here; A study of Hebrews part eleven, and check out my latest from Locals; Super Mario Galaxy movie: Review

I was at a restaurant over the weekend, and I heard a rather unwelcome guest behind my mother and I. A man that consistently kept saying things like “praise Jesus”, or something along those lines. Now, of course, you might have something in your inventory, like saying “Charlie, you also say repeated prayers”. True, I do! But, here's the difference, I'm not doing it to be seen, Let's examine one of my favorite personal prayers, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”. Let's examine this, and why it isn't “vain repetition”. Let's read it. “Lord Jesus Christ”, this is an appeal to Christ's divinity and acknowledging his leadership, it also acknowledges that he is the Messiah (that's what Christ means). “Son of God”, this is an acknowledgment that Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Father (John 3:16, amongst other verses). “Have mercy on me”, this is calling upon Christ's UNLIMITED atonement (take that, Calvinists)! “A sinner”, that thing that you and I are. “Amen”, a customary way to end a prayer.
So, what is the issue here? Is it that he was praying in public? Well, no, I do that. The issue is that he was praying to be seen. I make the sign of the cross and ask God to bless my food, and there is nothing wrong with that.
But, have you read Flannery O'Connor's “Revelation”? This guy reminded me of Mrs. Turpin.
Mrs. Turpin was constantly saying how great she was, by bragging about being middle class. I'm not going to ruin the story (it's really good)! But, in spite of Mrs. Turpin being a racist braggart, she does make it to heaven. But, that's IN SPITE of that.
To me, it's like “yay, I'm middle class” (I actually grew up poor) Mrs. Turpin was a nasty racist yet still makes it to heaven. (and racism, including anti-semitism, is a sin).
But, understand, she ends up in heaven BECAUSE she was shown what she was doing was wrong. In the story of the Publican and the Pharisee, don't be the Pharisee.
“And he spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I gives tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke18:9-13). Now, read the rest on your own, but, there's a reason that Jesus says the publican is justified (Luke 18:14).
*All verses are from the King James Version.

Adam Charles Hovey is the founder of the Catholicism, News, and whatever community on Locals.  If you'd like to help him out, go here.