I want to tell you a story, which is true, but never actually happened. It’s a parable told by the Savior about two men praying in the Temple. And one of these men has become my hero, someone I’m trying, rather unsuccessfully, to be like. Now, here’s the story.

One of the men is devoutly religious. He works with great diligence to be strictly obedient to all the commandments of God. He is greatly respected and admired by the people around him. So faithful is he that he pays a larger tithe than is asked and fasts twice a week – far more than is required.

The other man seems to have been somewhat dishonest in the past. He is despised and dishonored, even outright rejected by his fellows. By some he’s considered to be a traitor to his country. And there even seems to be evidence that he has cared little for God and His commandments, up until now.

Now, which of these two is my hero? Well, it’s the second man, shockingly enough. Why? Well, I once heard that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Listen to these fellows as they pray.

The first man, a Pharisee, a religious leader among the Jews, prays as follows:

“… God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:11-12)

(He) sounds pretty sure of himself, doesn’t he?

Now hear the prayer offered by the second man, a publican, which is kind of like an ancient version of the I.R.S.; he’s a tax collector. He feels so unworthy that he beats on his chest, he won’t lift his eyes or even stand near the devout Pharisee. He prays simply,

“God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)

To this man’s prayer, the publican, the Lord responds, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: …” (Luke 18:14)

This man, the publican, is my hero because no matter what his past has been, his present is humble and repentant – not arrogant, not self-righteous. Thus, he is right with God – and at any cost, that’s what I want to be.

May God grant such a happy quest for all those who seek it.