719 the fourth word the smoke, the stench, and the great unpleasantness that arose from the burning animals.”75 Quoting Rupert,76 I will add: “For God is not flesh or body to delight in such a smell. But since He is a spirit, in corporeal sacrifices He considers the heart of the one making the offering, and if it is pious, the gracious Lord is pleased by his contrition, more than man is delighted by the smell of flesh, no matter how pleasant.”77 Look, look how pleasing is prayer flowing from a contrite and loving heart to the excellent God! How efficiently it dissipates the stench of committed sins! How its odor makes God exceedingly gracious toward man! Now, let us reaffirm this with the oft-repeated example narrated by the Eternal Truth. “Two men,” said the Lord, “went up to the temple to pray” (Lk 18:10-14). Who or what kind [of people]? “One a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.” Both were wellknown; both were high-ranking. Let us listen carefully to each one’s prayer. What boastful words did the Pharisee’s lips utter? He said: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector” (upon whom he gazed with disdain). You seem to have prayed well, Pharisee. For you gave thanks to God for having preserved you in the state of grace. Nor do you conduct yourself entirely wrongly, because you do not conform yourself with sinners, whom God Himself hates. In fact, I also form the same opinion of you. But does the eternal Judge form a similar opinion? See [the Gospel of ] St. Luke, and you will know. And now you, tax collector: Why do you pray with eyes cast down to earth? Why do you sigh, striking your breast with your fist? He says, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Is that right? Are you a sinner? Is that the reason why you look down, and do not 75 Cf. Chrysostomus, Ioannes, Homiliae in Genesim, 27, 2 (In Cap. VIII, Gen.): PG 53, 242. 76 St. Rupert of Deutz (Tuitiensis; ca. 1075-1129) was a theologian and Benedictine abbot. 77 Cf. Rupertus Tuitiensis, De Sancta Trinitate et Operibus eius, Commentarium in Genesim IV, 28: CChrM 21, 314.
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