THE PHARISEE AND
THE PUBLICAN
THE PUBLICAN
(Luke 18:9-14)
I thank you, Lord,
that I am not like
so many other people
in this parish.
I won’t mention any names,
but at least I’m trying
to do my best,
not like so and so.
I go to church regularly.
I pray every day.
And I volunteer for many other activities,
not like so and so
who only shows up to be seen.
And thank God,
I don’t have to grow up today
like these teenagers standing
in the back of church.
Why don’t they come up front
or at least sit down with the rest of us?
And a teen in the back
kept her distance saying,
“Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.”
that I am not like
so many other people
in this parish.
I won’t mention any names,
but at least I’m trying
to do my best,
not like so and so.
I go to church regularly.
I pray every day.
And I volunteer for many other activities,
not like so and so
who only shows up to be seen.
And thank God,
I don’t have to grow up today
like these teenagers standing
in the back of church.
Why don’t they come up front
or at least sit down with the rest of us?
And a teen in the back
kept her distance saying,
“Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.”
© Andy Costello, Prayers in The Night, 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment