Reading 1 SIR 35:12-14, 16-18
who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak,
yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,
nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.
The one who serves God willingly is heard;
his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;
it does not rest till it reaches its goal,
nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,
judges justly and affirms the right,
and the Lord will not delay.
Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Reading 2 2 TM 4:6-8, 16-18
Beloved:I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Alleluia 2 COR 5:19
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parableto those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --
greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
"I MUST DECREASE" (Jn 3:30)
Jesus "spoke this parable addressed to those who believed in their own self-righteousness..." –Luke 18:9
One Bread, One Body - Reflection for October 23, 2016
The Pharisee's piety was admirable. He tithed ten percent of his gross income. He fasted two days a week, probably a very severe fast. How many of us tithe and fast to that extent? However, St. Luke points out specifically that his "prayer" was directed to himself, not to God (Lk 18:11, JB, RSV-CE). He compared his virtue to the standards of other people, not to the standards of God.
The tax collector's piety was not admirable. The tax collectors of Jesus' time were Jews who worked for the Romans. They routinely extorted their own people to get a better commission. Perhaps this was the only time this man had even been to the Temple. But this tax collector possessed the vision to see his own lowliness before God. He also avoided comparing himself to others. Instead, He compared his own sinful life to the holiness of God, and cast himself upon the mercy of God (Lk 18:13).
In today's second reading, St. Paul seems to resemble the Pharisee more than the tax collector. He "boasts" about how he, too, has been faithful to God (see 2 Tm 4:7). However, St. Paul's comments were a testimony to the Lord's faithfulness rather than a litany of self-praise meant for God to overhear. Paul gives credit to God for any good he has done. The Pharisee gives credit to himself, rejecting God's goodness in his life.
Any good thing in our lives is God's doing (Phil 2:13). "Name something you have that you have not received," particularly a spiritual talent or gift. "If, then, you have received it, why are you boasting as if it were your own?" (1 Cor 4:7)
| PRAYER: | Jesus, You "must increase, while I must decrease" (Jn 3:30). |
| PROMISE: | "The Lord redeems the lives of His servants." –Ps 34:23 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, Redeemer, Messiah, and risen King! |
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