30th Sunday of Ordinary Time
First Reading: Sirach 35:12-14,16-18
The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. He is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint; He 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.
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 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.
Gospel Reading: Luke 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable to 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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Reflection: Fr. Sahaya G Selvam
In the gospel text of today, Jesus invites us to examine our inner attitude in prayer. The Pharisee, in the story, “stands there” reminding God that he fasts twice a week. He seems to imply that he does not need to beg the mercy of God. He has done enough to automatically merit it. Instead of his fast being an act of ‘self-humiliation’, it becomes a reason for his pride. Yes, the Pharisee scores very high on practices of piety and good works. But his spiritual ‘activities’ could become the source of his fall. They deceive him. The Pharisee is not able to listen to the God who invites him.
Pride is an attitude of living in an illusion about ourselves. Pride is a false belief that I don’t need God. The word ‘humility’, on the other hand, is related to the Latin word ‘humus’, which means, ‘earth’. So humility could mean lowering ourselves to the ground. That is what the Tax Collector does: “he stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven…” (Lk 18:13). Humility also reminds us that we need God, as much as we need the earth to stand on. Am I willing to BE in the presence of God, or am I busy DOING many things for God – even in prayer?
Pride is an attitude of living in an illusion about ourselves. Pride is a false belief that I don’t need God. The word ‘humility’, on the other hand, is related to the Latin word ‘humus’, which means, ‘earth’. So humility could mean lowering ourselves to the ground. That is what the Tax Collector does: “he stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven…” (Lk 18:13). Humility also reminds us that we need God, as much as we need the earth to stand on. Am I willing to BE in the presence of God, or am I busy DOING many things for God – even in prayer?
