Today’s readings pick up from last week’s on the subject of prayer.  Following on from the Gospel parable of the unjust judge Ecclesiasticus tells us that God is not influenced by human power or prestige but judges each person on their merits.  Humility and sincerity of heart means that our prayers will pierce the heavens.  In today’s Gospel the Lord contrasts two people at prayer – a Pharisee who is virtuous and proud of it and a tax-collector who is only too aware of his failings.  Jesus does not deny the virtues of the Pharisee or the sins of the tax collector but tells us that the prayers of the tax collector are more pleasing to God because of his self-awareness and humility.  The Pharisee’s prayers are ineffective because of his self-righteousness.  Are we aware of our need for God’s mercy or do we think that we are not doing too badly?  St John writes that even the just person sins seven times a day!  This is not to send us on a ‘guilt trip’ but to remind us that we have not yet reached perfection – the fullness of God’s vision for us.  Do we measure ourselves against the Lord or our neighbour?