Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We have been speaking about how we respond to the events of our life, the difficulties and the good things as well. Does that crisis help you to stop and turn back to God, or do you just keep moving along? Only one of the ten lepers turns back to Jesus and because of this he receives even more than the other nine.
Last week we looked at what you do when your prayers are not answered. Are you like the widow who continually pesters the judge and finally he gives her what she wants? Will not God, who is your father, give you what is good for you if you keep asking him?
Today we hear a very unusual story (Luke 18: 9-14). The Pharisees are the religious leaders of the day and experts in the Law. They knew it and lived it better than anyone else. Their name means ‘to stand apart.’ They are not like everyone else. When a Pharisee enters a room he gets the place of honor, which means he is better than you, and me.
The tax collector is on the opposite end of the spectrum. He is employed by a foreign power, Rome. He double charges everyone, is very wealthy, hated by everyone, and not very religious.
The Pharisee comes in and says, “Thank you, God, that I am not like these others, adulterers, thieves, or even this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes on all my income.” The modern day person might say, “I came to church today, even though it was not easy with these kids of mine. Despite my desires, and my eyes, I am usually faithful to my wife and I didn’t kill anyone today, although last time in the parking lot, I came close to it. I’m not perfect but better than some of these people around me.”
The tax collector could not even lift his eyes to heaven and said, “O Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.” He is like someone who is in church today who hasn’t been here in months, or years. He plops down in a back pew, is not feeling well, and says, “God help me, please.” Jesus says that this man went home justified. Wait a minute; he is the better one, the second one? You’re kidding.
The key to the gospel is given in the first sentence: the parable is addressed to those who are convinced of their own goodness, and despise everyone else. When you look down on others you cannot see yourself, or others, or God. The Pharisee doesn’t address God when he prays. “He spoke this prayer to himself,” the gospel says.
The effectiveness of your prayer does not depend on your goodness but on your heart, the contriteness of your heart. A heart that sees that God is good to me. He doesn’t punish me, and is infinitely greater than me. Do you see that you need God to be able to love the other person as they are, without changing them?
I invite those who pray to see if the attitude of this Pharisee has crept into your way of thinking. Be honest! If you haven’t started yet to pray, imitate today the prayer of the tax collector; he is the model of prayer. The first reading says, “The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds (Sirach 35: 16-18).” Don’t be afraid to show your weakness to God, or to others.
Lastly, a good confession of your sins to a holy priest (who is Jesus Christ at that moment) will remind you of who you are. It is not that God wants to rub your face in your weaknesses. On the contrary, he desires to set you free. The first step is to admit that you cannot do it on your strength. Ask him for help. How can your Father refuse you?