Screen Shot 2015-03-10 at 4.20.02 PMBut the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”  Mark 18:13

We all fall short of God’s grace. Our thoughts deceive us. Sometimes, our words can be cruel. Each day, we struggle with temptations. On this Lenten Saturday, think about how you respond to the sin in your life.  Do you distance yourself from God?  Do you shame yourself with guilt? Do you become depressed?  Instead of beating yourself up, try following the lead of the tax collector in today’s gospel. Just take a moment to bow your head. Try praying these simple words: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

 

© By Nancy Jo Sullivan

Photo by Deb Keller, CCW