The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

"May God be gracious to us and bless us; may his face shine on us." Psalm 67:2

A short story...
A man walked into the confessional, and impatiently waited for the sliding screen to open. He heard voices from the other side, but could not hear the words. About a few minutes later the screen slid open. He heard the priest say something, but he didn't pay attention. Finally the priest said, "When was your last confession?"
Man, "It's been a while."
Priest, " How long?"
Man,"A few years."
Priest, " 2, 3, or more?"
Man, "Closer to 6 or 7, maybe more. But I'm a good person, not like some people."
Priest, "So tell me, have you ever lied to anyone?"
Man, "Yes, just maybe little ones. Not ones that would hurt anyone. But not like some people."
Priest, "Have you ever stolen anything?"
Man, "Just some little things like towels from a motel, some gym clothes, maybe some candy. Nothing of great importance to anyone. Not like some people, I'm a good person."
Priest, "You know so far that makes you a thief and a liar. Still think you're a good person, not like some people?"
Man, "Yes I'm a good person. Some people tell bad lies, and robbed innocent people."
Priest, "Some people are not here in confession--you are. Let's move on.
Ever miss Mass on Sunday?"
Man, "I didn't think I needed it. I'm a good person."
Priest, " Ever take God's name in vain?"
Man, " Occasionally."
Priest, " Ever get mad at your parents, you know yelled at them, disobeyed them?"
Man, " Occasionally, but who hasn't?"
Priest, " Who is not here in Confession--you are. Let's bypass if you killed anyone for now. You slept around?"
Man, " Chick I met in a bar. She was like all over me--she complained about her husband. So I pretended to listen carefully to win her trust. So we went to this motel."
Priest, "Ever noticed your neighbor's car or house, wished it was yours?
Man, "Well, kind of sort of, but I'm a good person, I take care of my stuff, make sure my family eats, work hard, and play hard. That doesn't make me bad does it?"
Priest, "Well, you just confessed you broke nine of the Ten Commandments. We bypassed the fifth one--did you kill anyone?"
Silence for a minute.
Man, "No, of course not, I don't think so."
Priest, "Whew. Let me ask you something; why are you here?"
Man, "I don't know. I mean, I was just walking by, and saw the sign saying confessions are being heard. I was just thinking; nothing is going good for me. Perhaps God can help me."
Priest, "First, the sign outside doesn't say anything--it reads. Second, God can help, but you have to make good choices. Breaking 9 out of 10 Commandments isn't making good choices. Being self absorbed isn't making good choices. Going to Confession is a good choice, but it's a start. You have to change some things. Let me read you something, 'God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, 'We have fellowship with him,' while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of his Son, Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say, 'We are without sin,' we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.' The reading goes on a little more--It's from the first letter of John. If you want read the whole thing you can, it's your choice. You know that can be a good start. What do you think?"
Man, "I guess I could use some reflection. I know I'm missing something."
The priest later gave absolution after he assisted the man in the Act of Contrition.
Two weeks later the same man walked into the same priest's confessional.
Man, "Forgive me Father for I have gravely sinned against God. I have been self absorbed, and thought only of what I could gain for myself..."
Priest, " I think you've learned a lesson. Let's talk about it..."

The man started as the Pharisee, then became the Tax Collector.

Amen.

Bible readings and Psalm 67 from the New American Bible St. Joseph Edition