277 part i: sunday meditations for the entire year After Holy Communion 1. “standing far off ” (Lk 18:13). O true knowledge of oneself! The miserable tax collector does not dare to come closer to the altar, because the voice of his conscience holds him back, and he owns up to the evil deeds that he has done. What do you think this troubled man was saying to himself? What did he toss around in his mind? [f.74v] Certainly this: “I will stay here by the doors, I shall not go farther, because I am a sinful man.” But you, with what thoughts have you not only gone forward today to the altar, but also brought your lips, stained by so many useless conversations, to receive the Divine Body Itself. That tax collector was afraid to put himself in the sacred place, lest he insult God if he, a sinner, were to enter a house of prayer. And you, how often do you dare to abandon yourself to vanities, or at least to take delight in vain thoughts in the very same place, where he was afraid to enter? What you failed to do through imprudence then, amend by sorrow. 2. “would not even lift up his eyes to heaven” (Lk 18:13). O fortunate fear, which merited the remission of sins, pardon, and justification! Realize, my soul, that the first step to regaining God’s grace, to obtaining His favors, is this holy fear and low estimation of oneself. Pondering it, the psalmist rightfully entreated God: “Pierce my flesh with fear of you” (cf. Ps 119:120). Therefore, restrain your vain gladness and joyful conceit, which arise in you from doing a few good works; rather, recalling your own failings, fear with trembling the judgments of God, which are like the great depths of the sea (cf. Ps 36:6). 3. “beat his breast” (Lk 18:13). Contemplate the Divine Mercy! You see that today’s tax collector participates in it to such an extent that, according to the testimony of the Son of God Himself, he “went down to his house justified” (Lk 18:14). Therefore, learn to immerse with great trust all your imperfections in the immense abyss of this Divine Mercy. And never dare
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