Luke 18:1-8

From Fr. Eric Asamoah

 

             Both the first reading and the Psalms describe God as just and impartial, He listens to the cries of the oppressed and the humble. He ensures that their prayers are answered, and justice is swiftly delivered.

In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that genuine humility, not self-righteousness, leads to justification before God, as shown through a parable contrasting a Pharisee and a repentant Tax collector (a Publican).

The Publican felt the need for complete honesty, as he stood in the Temple of God. “Lord, be merciful,” he said; and went home with his sins forgiven and with relief in his heart. The Publican prays with a humble heart.

What was the problem with the prayer of the Pharisee? He was not wrong in thanking God for all the good he was able to do. He led an admirable life and gives good example within the Jewish tradition. According to his self-appraisal, he kept all the rules, from fasting and almsgiving to honesty and purity.

However, he was wrong for condemning his neighbor the Tax Collector, he was wrong for making prayer a bragging exercise. He was wrong in canonizing himself as a living saint and     laughing at the spiritual credentials of those whom he considered as spiritually inferior. And by this attitude, he undermines his other virtues.

Pride is like a worm, destroying the apple at its core. Indeed, it turns him from speaking to God, to talking about himself. His prayer dies.

In contrast, the tax collector, traditionally considered the lowest of the low in Jewish society, can only pray humbly that God will show him mercy for his sinfulness.

The lesson is quite clear to the disciples who are on the road with Jesus, and to us who journey with him through our Christian life: Salvation is not something that we earn through our own devices. We cannot depend on ourselves if we want to be saved. We are therefore invited to trust God, to serve others, and to admit our need for God’s mercy in our lives. Do stay blessed.