The most dangerous place to be spiritually is not far from God—but believing we are already close to Him.

In this powerful reflection on the Gospel of the Publican and the Pharisee, we are warned at the very beginning of the Lenten journey about a subtle and deadly temptation: religious pride. Before fasting. Before ascetic effort. Before repentance—God looks at the posture of the heart.

The Pharisee appears disciplined, correct, and religious.
The Publican appears broken, ashamed, and exposed.
Yet Christ reveals that humility—not comparison—opens the door to grace.

This homily challenges us to examine:

Prayer that measures instead of trusts

Virtue that separates instead of heals

Religious activity used to avoid true humility

The Publican offers no defense, no résumé, no justification—only honesty. And that honesty saves him.

As we approach Great Lent, the question is not:

Am I better than others?

But rather:

Am I honest before God?

If we can whisper in our hearts,
“Lord, have mercy on me,”
then Lent has already begun.

🕯️ May our Lord Jesus Christ teach us true humility—not as weakness, but as the doorway to grace, healing, and joy.

0:00 Glory to Jesus Christ
0:10 Glory Forever – Amen
0:19 The Most Dangerous Spiritual Place
0:55 Why the Church Gives This Gospel First
1:30 The Pharisee vs the Publican
1:54 God Is Not Impressed by Comparison
2:04 When Prayer Becomes Self-Measurement
2:50 The Publican’s Honest Prayer
3:29 What True Repentance Really Is
4:04 Why Religious Activity Can Hide Pride
4:37 Pride Dressed in Religious Clothing
5:06 Humility Is Not Humiliation
5:23 When God Justifies the Humble
5:34 The Real Question Before Lent
6:00 Final Prayer for True Humility

For more please visit https://www.youtube.com/@steliasbyzantinecatholicch5629 & say 3 Hail Marys for the priest

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