Mission Sunday, 30th Sunday of the Year, 23 October, 2022

 Gospel: Lk 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 whoever exalts himself will be humbled,

and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Reflection: 

The difference between the two praying persons is that one is actually praying to God, and one is only telling others that he is praying to God. It is obvious, which person is doing what. We are invited to introspect on the way we pray. Is prayer relating to God in a focussed way, for us? Or is prayer the recitation of prayers prepared by others, just to make a show. It is clear that the publican, was sincerly sorry for his sins. He was making a self-introspection before God. So then, what about the Pharisee -- well, just a show off!