First reading Ecclesiasticus 35:12-14, 16-19
The humble man’s prayer pierces the clouds
The Lord is a judge
who is no respecter of personages.
He shows no respect of personages to the detriment of a poor man,
he listens to the plea of the injured party.
He does not ignore the orphan’s supplication,
nor the widow’s as she pours out her story.
The man who with his whole heart serves God will be accepted,
his petitions will carry to the clouds.
The humble man’s prayer pierces the clouds,
until it arrives he is inconsolable,
And the Lord will not be slow,
nor will he be dilatory on their behalf.
Responsorial Psalm 33(34):2-3,17-19,23
This poor man called; the Lord has heard him.
I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.
The humble shall hear and be glad.
The Lord turns his face against the wicked
to destroy their remembrance from the earth.
The just call and the Lord hears
and rescues them in all their distress.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;
those whose spirit is crushed he will save.
The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants.
Those who hide in him shall not be condemned.
Second reading 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18
My life is already being poured away as a libation, and the time has come for me to be gone. I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day; and not only to me but to all those who have longed for his Appearing.
The first time I had to present my defence, there was not a single witness to support me. Every one of them deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Luke 18:9-14
The tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified.
Jesus spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else: ‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, “I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.” The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’
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The pride of the Pharisee and the humility of the tax collector
In today’s gospel, Jesus told the parable of a Pharisee and a tax collector who went to the Temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed by presenting his moral achievements to God. From his prayer, he revealed himself as a self-centred person who looked down on others. On the other hand, the tax collector recognised his need for God and prayed for God’s mercy and help. His prayer consisted of these words, “God be merciful to me, a sinner”. The tax collector did not judge or despise the Pharisee. Instead, in humility, he judged himself and asked God for forgiveness. Those who listened to Jesus would expect Him to praise the Pharisee, and condemn the tax collector. However, Jesus said that it was the prayer of the tax collector that was acceptable to God.
This parable is for all of us. Jesus invites us to be like the tax collector by focusing on God, not ourselves. Aware of our own limitations and
need, we entrust ourselves to God, who is full of merciful love.
need, we entrust ourselves to God, who is full of merciful love.
Reflective question:
Which one do I identify with, the Pharisee or the tax collector?
Which one do I identify with, the Pharisee or the tax collector?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
