...late have I love You...

“9 Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. 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. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” 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!” 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’” Luke 18:9-14.

Perhaps one of the most difficult things in life is the tendency to trust in yourself rather than to trust in God. Here Jesus creates a parable that address this very problem we all face in life. And it is very clear to Jesus that to trust in yourself rather than to trust in God is a sin. It is also clear that the only antidote to this sin, the only way to put behind yourself this desire to trust in your own power and ability and will, is to turn to God and tell god with all your heart and soul and mind, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

I believe that Luke 18:13 is one of the most important verses in the Bible.

And this verse is also one of the most important prayers you and I can ever pray: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

Today, then, take time in prayer. Don’t put it off. Pray now if you haven’t yet prayed. And pray, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

Consider one of the most important texts ever written in Christianity, a text in the autobiography of Augustine, in his Confessions! 

Late have I loved you, O Beauty, ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! 

You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. 

In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created.

You were with me, but I was not with you. 

Created things kept me from you; 

yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all. 

You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. 

You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. 

You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. 

I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. 

You touched me, and I burned for your peace.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy win me a sinner.