Last week’s Gospel reminded us that Jesus keeps his heart open to our prayers. Today, we continue exploring the power of prayer, but with a new expectation for our own practice.

Jesus shares a parable about a tax collector and a religious leader. We witness both of them pray, but Jesus reveals that only one goes home justified. Without context, we may assume the religious leader is favored, but as the lesson in the parable suggests, it is the tax collector who returns home justified.

The tax collector prays with vulnerability and humility. The religious leader prays with pride and entitlement. Jesus explains, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

This message resonates with us at CMMB, especially after National Estate Planning Awareness Week, when we are invited to think intentionally about the legacy we hope to leave behind. Estate planning is an act of reflection and stewardship for our families and the philanthropic missions we care about.

P.S. We are deeply grateful for those who include CMMB in their estate plans. Their quiet generosity ensures that care and compassion will continue to reach communities in need for generations to come. Learn more about planned giving with CMMB here.

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