RBWords

     In a recent interview, when asked how he would describe himself, Pope Francis replied, "I am a sinner."  I could not help but recall this reply in the light of today's gospel passage.  The Pharisee was not simply one individual.  He belonged to a class of persons who exercised a form of religious leadership through punctilious observance of the precepts of the Mosaic Law.  The great temptation of this kind of religious conduct is to consider those who do not act in the same way as inferior.  Not all Pharisees had this attitude, but it was common enough to draw Jesus' repeated comments. 

 

     The problem of self-righteousness is particularly dangerous for those who exercise religious leadership.  Lord Acton's famous line, "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely..." was actually written in regard to one of Pope Francis' predecessors: Pius IX!  However, popes are not the only persons who fall to the danger.  Anyone who judges him- or herself as superior to another person could find him- or herself described in Jesus' parable!  In Catholic leadership, the problem has been unintentionally aided by the notion of "grace of office," in which a person called to an important responsibility can rely on God's help to fulfill the office.  Some have believed that this means they cannot make a mistake, which in turn leads to an attitude of superiority.  I'm sure we can all think of examples both in religious and secular leadership, or even in ordinary personal interactions.

 

     The Pharisee in the parable is actually grateful to God for his belief that he is superior to the rest of humanity!  He is mistaken!  The tax collector makes a simple and honest prayer that describes his relationship to God.  Jesus considers this man justified.  Pope Francis' statement in full is:  "I am a sinner.  This is the most accurate definition.  It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre.  I am a sinner."  He and the tax collector have given us much to ponder.  AMEN