Word to the Wise
Sunday, October 28, 2007 - Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
[Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18; 2 timothy 4:6-8; 16-18; Luke 18:9-14]Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
These words begin a profound parable. The Pharisee, in effect, thanks God that he really doesn't need God. He "has it made" physically and spiritually and, in case God doesn't notice, he points out the Tax Collector standing in the back as an example of how NOT to be! The Tax Collector simply admits his sinfulness and begs for mercy. The contrast is stark and so is the result. It is the Tax Collector who is "justified," and not the "self made man" who believes his actions are what make him righteous. One does not have to look far in this country to see how the Pharisee's attitude is part of our cultural atmosphere. Who among the "successful" and "elite" really believe that they NEED God. Are they not more likely to measure their success in terms of THEIR accomplishments in the world of business or medicine or law or politics, etc.? Are the "gated" communities of our neighborhoods signs of an acknowledgment that God is needed or mercy is welcome? The list of "qualifiers" usually includes racial, economic, religious and political labels, to name a few. Right after I read the opening line of the parable, I have to ask myself this question: Why do you go to the temple to pray? And what are you saying when you get there? How do you come away feeling? It might be a good idea to read this parable before I go. AMEN
config
view
logs
3840.0 KB
57 ms
4
