October 23, 2016
30th Sunday Ordinary Time
Jesus tells a parable to those who are convinced of their own righteousness and despise everyone else. There is a contrast between the prayer of a Pharisee and tax collector. The Pharisee is a lay leader who wishes to live his Jewish faith publicly. The tax collector is despised for collecting taxes and tolls for the Roman Empire. The Pharisees praises himself at the expense of others: “I am not like the rest of humanity.†He then recites his acts of devotedness. The tax collector refuses even to raise his eyes to heaven. He strikes his breast praying: “O God be merciful to me a sinner.†Jesus comments that the tax collector goes home justified not the Pharisee.
But we may ask what is the difference between St. Paul (2nd reading) writing to Timothy that he has fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith and awaits the crown of righteousness and the prayer of the Pharisee? Paul knows he has labored hard as the Apostle to the Gentiles but he is keenly aware of his own weakness and sin. He knows God stands by him and gives him strength. The Pharisee is full of himself and looks askance at others.
We can learn a great deal from this simple parable. We must pray with humility i.e. honesty. “The prayer of the lowly pierces the heavens.†We must pray with gratitude and recognition that whatever good we have done and will do is because of God. Apart from God we can do nothing. We must always pray with empathy for others. In prayer, we do not lift ourselves above others but we are in solidarity with suffering, sinning and sorrowing humanity kneeling before the throne of God’s mercy. We must imagine ourselves always loved by God even in our sinfulness and avoid comparing ourselves to others.
I recall a painting of an eloquent preacher in the ambo of a great cathedral with the congregation in rapt attention. Unnoticed in the back of the church is a woman kneeling down, bowing her head and striking her breast. The light coming through the stain glass window illuminates the lowly woman in prayer. Is there a better way to pray than the tax collector? “O God be merciful to me a sinner.â€
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29th Sunday Ordinary Time
