Walking with Jesus: Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, October 23, 2022

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

It seems that most people have favorites. They are attracted to a particular sports team, news program, TV series, mystery author, self-help author, actor, actress. This carries on to a favorite meal, beverage, route to take home, car dealership, restaurant. We like what attracts us. When we look at these favorites of ours, we encounter those who just don’t like our choices. This brings with it some unpleasant distractions in relationships.

Another example is sports teams — especially our favorites which produce rivalities that attract others to “cheer for the underdog” that has little chance of winning. According to the internet, an underdog is “the person or persons who are not favored to win or be selected. It is a person or group in a competition, usually in sports and creative works, who is largely expected to lose.” It also gives us words that define the opposite of underdog: happy, respected, rich, satisfied, wealthy. In religious affairs, and theologically speaking, the question is: Does God favor the influential, the rich, the famous? Or the ordinary, hard-luck, underdog type? Does He always favor the poor? It carries on to deeper questions: Am I called to be humble or proud? We can do things that are significant and of great importance or we can miss the mark and sink down to our lowest … significant vs insignificant … hitting the heights vs. completely useless. Today’s readings give us direction through God’s eyes.

Throughout his book, Sirach identifies wisdom with genuine reverence for God. Today’s section concentrates on prayer and sacrifice with the intent to show us that God will not be swayed by mere words or displays of devotion. He states it quite directly in his opening: “The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.” [Sirach 35:12] He writes that no matter who is presenting the petition, God looks on them with love and concern for their troubles and anxieties, and hears their pleas. So what matters with God is that the petition comes from one who humbly and sincerely believes in God and lives their life accordingly. Sirach sums this up with a dramatic image to clarify God’s position, comparing the prayer of a humble servant of God to an arrow launched into the sky. It pierces the clouds and reaches its goal in God’s heavenly court where it is most certainly addressed. God’s court is not swayed by earthly influences. God cares and loves. He teaches and leads us to do the same.

Paul concludes his instruction to Timothy on how to live as a teacher and follower of Jesus by reminding him that he must stay firm in his teaching of sound doctrine. It’s going to be hard. Paul himself is writing from prison and senses that everyone has deserted him — but not the Lord, who always is supplying His strength and grace leading him to heaven. Paul knows his time is short. He is satisfied that whatever struggles and failures he might have suffered, he has been faithful and is “crossing the finish line” and awaiting God’s promised reward. The same promise has been given to each of us. How faithful am I? Where do I need God’s help?

Jesus used parables which often left their hearers or readers surprised, maybe even shocked. The meaning of the parable is found in its reversal. Today Luke sets the stage by telling us that Jesus addresses the parable to those who are convinced of their own righteousness and despise everyone else. The Pharisee was the first character, and we think he is knee-deep in self-righteousness. Yet he gives an honest testimony about his own religious observance. He is pleased that he is a good person — not like the others who are greedy, dishonest or adulterous. Then Jesus points to the tax collector for contrast. This man stands at a distance, coming to God admitting he is a sinner and needs God’s mercy. There is no indication that he is going to repent. His profession is hated because he works for the Roman government and high-ranking Jews. Jesus says that the tax collector goes home humbled. The Pharisee does not ask for mercy — he doesn't think he needs it. The message: No one is guaranteed salvation, no matter how righteous he or she might appear. God is not committed to human standards when assessing the worthiness or unworthiness of a person. Am I?

So I reflect on:

• I remember to repeat Jesus’ prayer constantly: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” or, “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me.”
• The days grow shorter and darkness comes earlier ... winter is coming ... and I go into a sort of temporary hibernation — a quiet moment hidden in the drab of darkness. How can I leave showiness behind and grow more interior in my prayer life?
  

Sacred Space 2022 states:

“Am I shocked and scandalized by this parable, or do I discover a Pharisee and a tax-collector in my heart too? Sometimes I cannot avoid feeling morally superior and holier than others, or even a particular person, however much I try not to. I feel I tick all the boxes, unlike others. Humbly ask for light to see and feel the deep roots pride has in my heart, and for the grace of real humility.

“I spend some time just repeating, perhaps with the rhythm of my breathing, the tax-collector’s prayer that earned him peace with God: ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner.’”