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(Sir.35:12-14,16-18;\xa0Ps.34:2-3,7,17-19,23;\xa02Tm.4:6-8,16-18;\xa0Lk.18:9-14) \xa0 \u201cO God, be merciful to me a sinner.\u201d \xa0 \u201cThe one who humbles himself will be exalted,\u201d for it is the lowly the LORD hears.\xa0 And in no greater way, and for no greater benefit, do we humble ourselves than to recognize our sinfulness before God.\xa0 It is then we prove ourselves His own, for it is then Truth is with us. We must guard ourselves ever from the sin of pride, brothers and sisters; it is just such presumption that breaks down the spiritual life, for it separates us from our proper place before our Lord and God.\xa0 \u201cThe Lord is close to the brokenhearted\u201d; \u201cHe hears the cry of the oppressed.\u201d\xa0 He does not come to heal those who are well, nor does He respond to the prayer of the oppressor; and our life on this earth is one of continual healing, and whenever we judge another we condemn our souls. \u201cMay it not be held against them!\u201d is Paul\u2019s prayer for his unjust accusers and those who have deserted him.\xa0 (How like Christ\u2019s prayer from the cross it is!)\xa0 He is crushed before the courts of this world and yet does not judge, and yet does not condemn.\xa0 For he is the servant of the Lord and shows himself faithful to such a call.\xa0 Even as he is \u201cpoured out like a libation,\u201d he remains faithful, unwavering in his hope of standing before and being redeemed by \u201cthe just judge.\u201d\xa0 He knows fully that \u201cthe Lord redeems the lives of His servants\u201d and that \u201cHe who serves God willingly is heard,\u201d and so he humbles himself when accused, trusting that \u201cthe Lord will rescue [him] from every evil threat and will bring [him] safe to His heavenly kingdom.\u201d Yes, \u201cthe prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds.\u201d\xa0 How blessed are they who know their humble place before the Lord, for He hears them and comes quickly to rescue them when they cry out to Him in all their humility.\xa0 And of course our greatest rescue must be from sin, that which has made us base before His eyes.\xa0 To its recognition and for its overcoming by the Lord\u2019s grace we must dedicate ourselves every day of our lives.\xa0 And so we cry out for forgiveness.\xa0 And so we return to our homes justified. \xa0 Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. \xa0 Music: "This World of Sin" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. \xa0 ******* O LORD, you are the just Judge \u2013 hear our cry and save us from oppression.\xa0 YHWH, those who take refuge in you are saved from every evil; those who call out to you are heard and redeemed.\xa0 Those who are humble before you, you exalt to the heavens, but those who are proud condemn themselves.\xa0 What hope have we but you, O LORD, we poor sinners who so soon shall die?\xa0 What more can we do than spend our lives for you \u2013 in this there is great grace through all our days, and a crown of righteousness in the end.\xa0 Thus we who are nothing, who would come to nothing without your mercy, may reach even unto your throne, O Most High God.\xa0 For you indeed hear the cry of the poor; the just petition of a broken heart you cannot resist.\xa0 As widows and orphans we walk the face of this dark earth; as slaves in bonds we look for freedom.\xa0 Come and wed us to yourself, O Father in Heaven, and we shall enter your House justified.