Reflection 1:  “The Goodie-Two-Shoes” in All of Us”! 

Sister Ruth Marlene Fox, OSB, speaks about how she tried to keep track of the many good things she did for God when she was young. During her private prayers, she’d often write out her list of accomplishments and offer them to God, hoping to make a good impression…daily Mass and rosaries, little sacrifices at meals, smiling at those she didn’t like, being patient with co-workers and children. Reflecting on Luke 18;9-14, and remembering her past efforts to win favor with God, she now realizes she resembled the Pharisee in this Gospel story. She hopes now that she’s a bit wiser, she  doesn’t need to impress God at all! All she needs to do when she prays is to come into God’s presence humbly with empty hands and say, like the tax collector, “I really have nothing worthwhile, except what you gave me Lord, and I have wasted a lot of that. Have mercy on me O Lord.” Sister adds, when she prays with that attitude, she often has a deeper sense of God’s love for her, always present well before she accomplished anything! May it be the same for us!