Sirach 35: 12-14,16-18
2 Timothy 4: 6-8; 16-18
Luke 18: 9-14
The Pharisee and the tax collector could well be you and me. Those moments of pride, wanting to be recognized for one's accomplishments, “coincidently” being in the right place at the right time, rubbing elbows with the wealthy and influential, dropping names – “I know so and so,” pretending to know something that I am really ignorant about, the enjoyment I get by always being in control, and such unattractive traits may lead us to see the Pharisee in this Sunday’s readings. When he prays, he doesn’t pray to God – he prays to himself. "I thank you . . . I am not like . . . I fast . . . I pray." Who needs God when you're so perfect? This "righteous" man may as well be praying to the wall.
Meanwhile, the “bad” boy who stands far off from God beats his breast and prays a heartfelt, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” While the Pharisee, at least this particular one, is anything but a model of humility, the culturally despised tax collector, realizes the sinfulness within him, and bears his soul before God. It’s interesting that one stands "up close" in the bright light of his prayer and the other stands in the shadows of humility. Even more to ponder when we see who teaches who about prayer in this reversal of roles from an unlikely pair in the Temple.
The two are extreme examples, polar opposites as it were, of our approach in prayer. Which prayer will God hear and respond to? The one who acknowledges who he is before God and prays heartfelt words to the mercy of God. Last Sunday we learned about perseverance in our prayer with the example of the persistent widow and the unjust judge. This weekend we hear our attitude, our disposition, must be humble and honest before God in prayer. God does not ask us to grovel on the ground but our interior attitude ultimately in prayer is to seek God’s mercy, not his approval. In the end, God has no need of us but we have been created and filled with a need for him.
It is certain that a truly humble person is more loveable. I think we should be proud of our accomplishments; the results of hard work. But, "thanks be to God" for my talents, opportunities, and abilities given ultimately for his praise and glory.
The parable seems all the more remarkable because of who is at prayer. It is not unusual to see the Pharisee in the Temple at prayer. That was a norm. But to see the tax collector in prayer on his knees drives home the startling point that God hears the cry of the poor, that his mercy has no bounds, and that he desires to provide for all who ask with a sincere heart.
As was said to me when I shared my frustration of dryness in my prayer: "It's more important to be seen by God at prayer than to feel God in prayer."
Our Eucharist is born from the greatest act of mercy God has ever shown humankind. Only when we realize the great humility of God on our behalf will we be genuine disciples who love and serve the Lord.
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