It’s easy to fall into the trap of following a checklist for Christian living–do these good things and you earn a gold star for discipleship. While Jesus is clear that the way in which we live reflects our participation in the realm of God, Jesus warns his followers to be wary of hypocrisy. In the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican Jesus craftily invites us into a story which forces us to keep our eyes on ourselves and on our relationship to God. There are to be no sideways glances to compare ourselves to others, and no disdainful dismissals of others who are on this journey of discipleship with us. Recipients of God’s grace resist toxic faith and embrace a stance of grace-full living toward all people.
