30th Sunday in Ordinary time
This man, I tell you, went home again justified; the other did not. For everyone who raises himself up will be humbled, but anyone who humbles himself will be raised up. Luke 18: 14
Intro: Like those two opposites in today's Gospel, we come together today to offer our prayers and worship. Hopefully, we'll learn from the tax collector the secret of praying in a way which pleases God rather than ourselves!
Readings: Ben Sirach reminds his listeners that God has no favourites, He doesn't care about status, but does care in a special way for the orphan, the widow, those with no one to look after them.
As he nears his impending execution, Paul is writing to Timothy to admit that he's disappointed that so many of his friends have deserted him and allowed him to appear in court by himself. But in spite of all that, he is still looking forward to
eternal life.
Ecclesiasticus 35: 12-14; 16-19;
2 Timothy 4: 6-8; 16-18;
Luke 18: 9-14;
In contrast to St. Paul and his trust in God's providence, the Pharisee in today's Gospel was probably quite correct in his analysis of self congratulation and praise - giving tithes on all his income, fasting twice a week, striving to keep God's Law in all its totality, down to its smallest demand. The tax collector was equally correct - a sinner who had sold his soul and his religious heritage to the Romans, by collaborating with them.
Society recognised the Pharisees as good men, celebrities. In a time of great injustices, they were just, and tried hard to live according to the Commandments. In fact, they were almost perfect! All that was wrong with today's Pharisee was that he considered himself a cut above other people, and he was extremely proud of his own goodness.
The tax collector was a very different person: he was a rascal, a real Arthur Daly, the scum of the earth as far a his fellow Jews were concerned. And he knew it! The difference between the two men was that the tax collector was aware of his own shortcomings: he had already lost both his self-respect and the esteem of those around him.
Even the Romans despised a man who cheated his own people by lining his pockets with what should have come to them; not only that ... by doing so, he increased the Jewish hatred for Rome. He had nothing to lose by acknowledging his sinfulness before God - he was less than nothing, and unworthy of forgiveness.
Everyone's ill at ease in the presence of someone who's smug, self-important or a boaster. Yet there's always a tendency within ourselves, while admitting to being less than perfect, to add "... but at least I'm not as bad as so-and-so!" or "I'm a far better Christian than half of those who go to your church every Sunday, and who
haven't an ounce of Christianity in them!" That's presumption: we can't afford to judge; that's God's job, and we put ourselves in His place every time we pass a
judgement which can - and should - only be made by Him.
What's the answer? To be truly open to God, and to be as honest and gentle with others as we are with ourselves; how many times do we make excuses for ourselves for a sin in the past? A bit like the child who claims that his older brother or sister made him do it, or, "a big boy did it and ran away!"
Maybe you're sitting there today, thinking just how much everything I've said applies so well to someone else you know - or even to me!! If you are, then it's time
for a re-think.
During the Year of Mercy a few years back, Pope Francis described the Church as "an oasis of mercy." Far from criticising others, or setting ourselves apart from them, we must develop hearts which are welcoming. During communion, let's place ourselves before God, like the tax collector, and ask Him simply for the help to forget about others, and their relationship with Him, and to help you concentrate on our own: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us:" - forgive us in the same way as we forgive others. Now there's a dangerous prayer!
Intercessions
Today's psalm tells us that the poor man called, and the Lord heard him. In that same spirit of humility and trust, we bring our own prayers before the Lord, that He may hear, and answer, them:-
1. For the Church. May It continue Its mandate to preach the message of Your word to all nations - Lord, hear us.
2. For peace in our world. Bring Your love and understanding to all people, and bridge the huge gap which exists between rich and poor, first world and third world - Lord, hear us.
3. For those who stand in special need of Your care - the sick, the unloved, refugees, and all who live in fear. Respond quickly to their needs, and help them to realise that You walk alongside them in their sufferings and needs - Lord, hear us.
4. For missionaries, whose work can often be hard and apparently unrewarding. Give them renewed strength and courage to preach Your word - Lord, hear us.
5. For ourselves. Don't allow us to become self-righteous in our attitude, as we come to realise our own need of Your mercy and forgiveness - Lord, hear us.
6. May those who grieve and mourn find comfort. Raise to new life with their risen Lord Michael Beaton, Chris Lyall, and Margaret McGinley who have died recently; together with Chris Dunne, Roy Jackson and Tom Conlon, whose anniversaries occur about this time - Lord, hear us.
Loving Father, may these prayers spur us into action, so that we may begin to build up Your people and Your Kingdom in our world.