Can you remember the thrill of a good exam result? The trouble with exam   results is, that despite the knowledge that exams are about measuring our own potential, we still like to compare our marks against those of our classmates. Our success is made all the more meaningful by the fact that others have done less well. If this mentality stopped at exams this wouldn’t be so bad, but what happens when the same attitude spills over into the rest of our lives? Do we look down on others because they have more menial jobs, because they’re on benefits, because they don’t go to church of haven’t given as much to charity as we have? Do we look down on those who have made mistakes in life, who drink too much, take drugs or end up in prison? Do we measure our own righteousness against the poor decisions of others? When this mentality afflicts us, we are in danger of becoming smug, unfeeling and self-righteous.

There’s a big difference between being righteous and self-righteous. The Pharisee in today’s parable is a good man, but his mistake is in thinking that he is a better   person than the sinner who prays next to him. The Pharisee fails to see the sinner’s worth and he completely fails to see his own shortcomings. It comes as no surprise that it’s the sinner’s humble prayer that God hears and not the Pharisee’s proud boasts. Is God going to love us more because we are getting things right? Is God going to love the vagrant or the criminal less because they have made mistakes or enjoyed fewer privileges?

As we forge our individual relationships with God we are asked to do it not by comparing our progress with those around us, but by keeping one eye on our own failings.