A sower went out to sow....

The village drunkard staggered up to the parish priest, newspaper in hand, and greeted him politely. The priest, annoyed, ignored the greeting because the man was slightly inebriated.

He had come with a purpose, however, “Excuse me, Father,” he said, “Could you tell me what causes arthritis? The priest ignored that too.

But when the man repeated the question the priest turned on him impatiently and cried,” Drinking causes arthritis, that’s what causes arthritis! Gambling causes arthritis! Chasing loose women causes arthritis….” And only then, too late, “Why did you ask?”

“Because it says here in the papers that that’s what the Pope has!”
(from The Prayer of the Frog, by Anthony de Mello).

The attitude of the Pharisee is never far from us that makes us easily judge others and put others in the box. We easily judge a neighbor, “That drunkard!” about another, “That womanizer!” About a coworker, “That good-for-nothing!” And worse if we bring this attitude into our prayers! Nobody who despises a fellowman can pray. In prayer we do not lift ourselves above others but line up with all the sinners who approach God seeking mercy and forgiveness. In prayer we approach God realizing that we need God. In prayer we do not compare ourselves with other people but ask, “Am I as good as God is?” The honest answer to this question will kill any temptation to give in to a Pharisee mentality.