Jesus tells a parable in this week's Gospel about two men -- one who finds his identity in who he is and what he's done. The other realizes he's at a dead end. The first man surrounds himself with a fence of success, the other can only rely on mercy. Jesus asks us to set aside all the barriers we set up of busyness, success, accomplishment. At the end we all are like the one who came to understand his need, or like the criminal crucified next to Jesus. All we can bring at the end of the day is our desire to receive grace. Jesus, have mercy. Jesus, remember me.

Blessings,

Father Mark