He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else… I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (Lk 18, 9.14)
A beautiful parable. Simple story with a profound message.
These two persons go to the temple: the same place.
They go to pray: both of them
They pray to the same God.
So, the place is same, the God whom they address is same, and their action (prayer) is same.
Only their attitude is different and hence the content of their prayer is also different.
The justification comes from their attitude. The reward is also given to the attitude. And the prayer is also heard according to their attitude.
So, neither the place (temple), nor the amount of words that one uses in prayer, nor the number of times one fasts, nor the amount of money (tithes) that one gives to the temple are important.
But, the attitude with which one approaches God, and the attitude one has towards his neighbour, is what is important.
