Thank you for your comment Juergen

." It is our recognition of being a sinner, needing God's mercy, forgiveness and grace and being repentant/changing our sinful behaviors -not remaining in sin that we receive God's mercy.-----------------"
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In this parable that is not been conveyed
What the Pharisee said shows that he trusted to himself that he was righteous but his pray was not accepted he was full of himself to such an extent he looked down on others.
The tax collector (Collaborator) accepted himself as a sinner before God, a continual sinner in his state as a Tax collector before God, he remained one he depended totally on God mercy, nothing else, but still went home justified.
He did not change his behaviour he was entangled within his state. 

kevin your brother
In Christ