• In today’s Gospel story, one person is proud, and the other is humble. Which one is Jesus lifting up as an example of prayer? Explain your answer. 
• Why is the tax collector (rather than the Pharisee) the more unlikely person to be an example of prayer? 
• Think of a person you know who is humble. Describe this person to your family and share why you like him/her. 

Vocation Charades 

This game of charades will not only reveal your family members' career or vocational dreams but also give you a chance to have fun too! 

Invite each person to think about their dream job or vocational calling. On separate slips of paper, have them write the top three jobs or vocations that they think would make them happy. Parents are invited to dream about a new career. Parents can also help younger children come up with their dream jobs based on their interests and talents. Place the slips of paper in a bowl, and let the charades begin. One person takes a slip from the bowl and acts out the job/vocation. Everyone else guesses the answer. Whoever guesses correctly first gets to go next. Before the next turn, discuss who you think wrote that career down, and invite the person who did to share why they chose it. Look for opportunities to explore various vocations (priesthood, religious life, marriage, single life). 

Litany of Mercy 

Pray this as a family imitating the tax collector in today's Gospel. Divine Mercy is a form of God's compassion. 

Pick a prayer leader to read each of the phrases below. After each phrase, everyone else responds with, "I trust in you." 

Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the heart of the Father 
Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God 
Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery 
Divine Mercy, from which comes all life and happiness 
Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders 
Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe 
Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of Jesus 
Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus 
Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners 
Divine Mercy, in the founding of the Holy Church 
Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism 
Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ 
Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life 
Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death 
Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life 
Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life 
Divine Mercy, shielding us from evil 
Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery 
Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy 
Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts 
Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls 
Divine Mercy, peace amidst fear 
Divine Mercy, delight of holy souls 
Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope 

Let us pray: 

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen. 

(Adapted from https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/litany-to-the-divine-mercy-263) 

When the tax collector prayed, he acknowledged his sin and asked God for mercy. At what point during Mass do we do the same?

In Jesus’ time, the Roman government collected taxes from people who lived in their territories. Tax collectors were known to overcharge people so they could keep the extra money for themselves. That’s why they were hated by the Jews.