Saturday in the Third Week of Lent.

"O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."


Psalm 51:15-20, Hosea 6:1-6, and Luke 18:9-14

I love when I feel good about something that I've done. I love the feeling of accomplishment, and I love the feeling of recognition that comes with it. I think that's something that we all appreciate, too. I think we like when our actions and our works are recognized. They don't have to be rewarded, necessarily, but it sure it nice when they're at least noticed. To do good work and to have that work held up is nice and comforting. It gives us something to lean back on in those times when things are great. We look back at something that noticed, and we think, "I did it once, and I can do it again."

What feels better than this, though, is when someone gives me a break for really messing something up. Whether it's because I drop a plate, respond to an email really late, or say something I really shouldn't have said, being forgiven is quite a feeling. I know I've written a lot about that, but it really seems to keep coming up again and again. Whether it's seeking forgiveness from God, from others, or from ourselves, it keeps coming back.

The man in the Gospel for today says to God, "Be merciful on me, a sinner." That man had probably seen many dangers in his life. As a tax-collecter he lived on the margins of society. He did what he was supposed to do, and no one like him for doing it. The stress and anxiety of being cast out from his own community may have made him behave in ways he wished he hadn't. We don't know the story of his life, but we know that he recognized himself as a sinner.

To recognize oneself as a sinner in the eyes of God is to open oneself up to God's overwhelming grace. Making space for that grace in our lives allows us to share that grace with others. May God give us all, present company included, the strength to admit our sinful nature in order to make room for His love in our life.