ASH WEDNESDAY, February 18
Luke 18:9-14

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. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” 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!”
— Luke 18:11-13

The season of Lent can be a time of giving up superficial vices, such as sugar or chocolate, but it can also be a time to take a deep dive into our own souls to determine what things are separating us from God. Modern minds often dislike the idea of grim Lenten penitence, but the practice can be compassionately reframed in our time as self-improvement. The Pharisee in today’s reading sees no need for self-improvement. He believes he is righteous because he fasts twice a week and tithes faithfully. The tax collector, on the other hand, is honest with himself and admits his faults. He is in despair over the separate him from God because he longs to be closer to his loving Creator. Jesus tells this parable to “some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt” (Luke 18:9).

He knew that they were being unrighteous by judging others while thinking they were above reproach. Twelve-step work refers to this type of approach as taking someone else’s inventory. Step Four instead requires a fearless and searching moral inventory of ourselves, a time for an honest and transformative examination of our own faults. When I worked this step in Al-Anon, I was like the Pharisee, pointing out other people’s faults and congratulating myself on being so virtuous. I was soon dismayed to realize that my people-pleasing tendencies were actually dishonesty and fears that held me captive and were harming me and separating me from God. I still take inventory on a regular basis, and it humbles me when I realize how many defects of character I need
to release.