A Pharisee and a Tax Collector at Prayer

We hear another great parable this weekend. Jesus tells the story of two people who go to the temple to pray. (Lk 18:9-14)

A Pharisee prays to himself with an unbowed head: “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity-greedy, dishonest, adulterous, or even like that tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.” (Lk 18:11b)

Then we hear the prayer of the tax collector who stands off at a distance and prays with a bowed head: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner. “ (Luke 18:13b)

Read their prayers again.  And then reflect on the following questions.

To whom is the Pharisee praying? Did you notice how often he uses the pronoun ‘I’ in his prayer?

What is the significance of the Pharisee who prays with an unbowed head and the tax collector who bows his head to pray?

    

Why does Jesus tell this parable?  What does He want you to get from it? When you come to Church this weekend what will be the first prayer you’ll say?

                                                  “Lord, Increase Our Faith”

This weekend’s Gospel (Luke 17:5-10) begins with the Apostles telling Jesus to increase their faith.  Their request for more faith only makes sense when we look at its context.

Just before the Apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith, Jesus says: “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him. And if he repents, forgive him.  And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and he says he’s sorry seven times, “you should forgive him”.  And that’s when the Apostles say: “Lord, increase our faith.”

The Apostles can’t believe that forgiveness should be given so frequently. But Jesus insists that we must always be ready to forgive…just as God always forgives us.  Forgiveness is the mark of a true disciple! And it's a requirement for all of us who are on The Way.

 

God has given me countless second chances.  How many second chances has God given you?

 

Today’s Gospel concludes by reminding us that we are disciple/servants. We should not expect special treatment for doing only what is required of us. 

What is required? Three things. Love God and others as God loves us.  Forgive each other as God forgives us. And especially care for the poor and those living on life’s margins.