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/18:9/ He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: /18:10/ "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. /18:11/ The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. /18:12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' /18:13/ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' /18:14/ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."

 

John Dominic Crossan

Item: 474
Stratum: III (80-120 CE)
Attestation: Single
Historicity: +

Reflection

This poem originated as a contribution to the HODOS online community by Gene Stecher. It is published with Gene's consent but he explicitly retains full rights as the creative author. You welcome to use it for personal study and worship, but it should not be published in any other form without the author's prior consent. Index to Gene Stecher's poems

Two women went up to the temple to pray,
one, a Hodosian lawyer,
and one a crook by day,
paid mob informant by night.
The Hodosian said, I'm glad I'm not like
fundamentalists, literalists,
and the cake layer believers,
or low-lifes like this mob informant.
I deny myself
the assurances of heaven
and fuel the I-Thou campfire
across the face of the earth.