At isa sa kanila, isang dalubhasa sa Kautusan ang nagtanong kay Hesus upang subukin ito, “Guro, alin po ang pinakamahalagang utos sa Kautusan?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Ibigin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso, nang buong kaluluwa, at nang buong pag-iisip.
 

The parable in today’s gospel is directed at Christians of all times. The idea of gaining merit before God is profoundly rooted in our thought patterns. 

From the outset, we dislike the hypocritical, disagreeable, proud and presumptuous Pharisee. Our sympathies are all with the publican who, poor guy, did something wrong, but has a heart of gold.