Parable on the Basis of Justification

82. Parable on the Basis of Justification

If we fully face our own humanity, we will not harshly judge or condemn others, because we understand what it means to say “there but for the grace of God, go I.”

The Pharisee is alienated from his own humanity, and maintains the illusion of superiority. The publican – a sinner in the eyes of Jews for cooperating with the Romans and collecting their taxes – harbors no such illusions, and faces himself head-on.

We are all publicans. We are all Pharisees. The key to it all is acceptance.