Your halo is on too tight

In this weekend’s Gospel lesson, Jesus tells a parable about two men who go up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, the other was a tax collector. We are all familiar with this little story.  While the Pharisee was demonstrating an unwholesome attitude of superiority, the tax-collector’s attitude bespoke his humility. After telling the story, Jesus tells the crowd that the tax-collector went home from the temple justified, but the other man did not.  “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  
 
       The point of Jesus’ parable is that God can do something for the tax collector who is aware of his need to change, and open to the possibility that, with God’s help, he can be a better person.  However, the Pharisee has arrived at a dead end because he has no humility!  He is not aware of his need to change. He is not open to the possibility that, with God’s help
he can be a better person.  On the contrary, he regards himself as the best of all possible persons and, therefore, God has no need to do anything for him.  And as long as he persists in that attitude, God can only leave him to wallow in his own virtue - his own self-appointed sainthood.  
 
        The story is told, that a modern-day, self-righteous person went to a Doctor for a check-up.  “I’m not feeling very well these days,” He said.  “Please examine me thoroughly, and tell me what’s wrong.”  Whereupon, the Doctor began with a few questions. . .  “Do you drink a lot?” “No, I never touch the stuff, I’m a teatotler, and proud of it.” “Do you smoke?”  “No!  I’ve never gone near tobacco, and I’m proud of it!”  “What about your sleeping habits?”  “I go to bed early.  While others are out carousing late at night.  I’m in bed by 9:30, and I’m proud of it!  “Well, what is your complaint at this time?”  “I have terrible pains in my head.”  “Aha!  That’s your trouble.  Your halo is on too tight!”  
 
       A religious snob, who liked to appear full of virtue, once said to Mark Twain, “Before I die, I’m going to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  I shall climb to the top of Mount Sinai and read the Ten Commandments aloud!”  To which Twain replied, “I have a better idea!  Why don’t you stay right at home and keep them?”  “Everyone who humbles himself or herself will be exalted!”  So says the Lord!  Think about it!!