30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading Ecclesiasticus 35:12-14.16-19: The humble man’s prayer pierces the clouds.

II Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8.16-18: All there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me.

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14: The publican went home at rights with God; the Pharisee did not.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector:

The Spirit Needed for Prayer, Lk 18:9-14

Today’s readings invite us to reflect and examine ourselves, God and our neighbours. What is the quality of my prayer? What is the quality of my Christian life? What idea do I have of myself, of God and of my neighbour? Let us search for the answers to our questions in today’s gospel. Our attitude towards ourselves, God and our neighbour must be based on humility and unworthiness on a deep conviction of God’s love, mercy, faithfulness and forgiveness.

The Pharisee with his pride and self-righteousness praised God first then turned to praise himself more than God that he is fasting twice a week and giving alms and comparing himself not like a sinner. Finally, Jesus condemned the prideful and self-righteous Pharisee and praised the tax collector for his humility, God-fearing life, unworthiness and accepting himself as he is as a sinner and for asking God’s mercy, love, forgiveness and blessings through his penance, repentance and cries.

The sinner thought that only God his saviour and He can save him alone; whereas the Pharisee thought that his fasting twice a week and almsgiving will save him which was his wrong concept about God.

Finally, Jesus concludes the parable by telling us that the tax collector left the Temple “at rights with God”(v.14), that is, a friend of God once again, filled with the peace and joy which God’s forgiveness brings. In contrast, the Pharisee went back home farther from God than when he came, with his pride and his sins as his only companions.

St. Paul saw himself as the object of God’s love, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, generous heart, divine power and strength in times of trails, temptations, tribulations, suffering and persecution.

In the gospel passage, two striking things are seen-both the spirit needed for prayer and the spirit needed for one to be saved.

1. A parable of warning (v.9)

a. To the self-righteous

b. To those who despise or look down on other people

2. The scene: Two men are praying in the temple (v.10)

a. One is a Pharisee

b. One is a sinner

3. The religionist prays (v.11-12)

a. He stands-prays only with himself

b. He thanks God for making him what he is

c. He rededicates himself-he reaffirms his commitment

4. The Sinner prays (v.13)

a. He stands “at a distance”

b. He feels unworthy to face God

c. He cries for mercy

5. The major lesson: Justification (v.14)

a. A humble approach is heard

b. A proud approach is not heard

Thought: The scandalous sinner is the one justified in the sight of God because of two reasons:

1. he acknowledges his sinfulness and unworthiness

2. he cries for God to have mercy.

Whereas a proud approach is not heard (Lk 14:11- For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exacted). A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honour (Prov 29:23).

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