What's his problem? ~ by M.A. Allen

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
Ps. 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23 (7a)
2 Timothy 4:7-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14

Our Gospel reading from Luke was the familiar parable of the Pharisee and the Publican or tax collector. We generally find ourselves looking down on the Pharisees that Jesus encountered as people who were hypocrites of the worst sort because of the way they practiced their religion and how they treated the common people.

In reality, the Pharisees were looked up to by the people. They were leaders in the temple and synagogues and followed the Mosaic laws to the letter. On the other hand, the publicans were despised by the Jews because as tax collectors, they were known to cheat the people in their dealings with them.

We know from the Gospel reading, that God was pleased by the way the tax collector prayed. The man realized he was not worthy and he asked God to be merciful to him.

But the Pharisee had a problem. Even though he had done all the right things, this Pharisee wasn't content with all the good things he had done. His prayer was ruined because he began to compare himself to the tax collector. The Pharisee tried to make himself look better and even more worthy in God's eyes.

That was a big mistake! Whenever we try to compare ourselves to others so as to make ourselves look better than everybody else, our prayer becomes nothing but an exercise in pride and arrogance.

We can please God most in prayer, by using the example of the tax collector. We give thanks to God for all the gifts He has given to us. We humbly ask for His mercy and recognize we can do nothing without Him.


~ Image by Hermano Leon Clipart