30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

Luke 18:9-14

“...for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

Jesus describes two men praying in the temple, shedding light on what God expects from us, all the while addressing those “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt.”

The two praying men stand in contrast, not only because they are at opposite ends of the Jewish societal spectrum—one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The prayers they offer are also starkly different.  The Pharisee prays to himself, forming his narrative to make himself look good in front of the Lord.  His focus is on the things that he has done out of his own power, never truly thanking God for his work.  Nor does he show a hint of contrition.  His prayer is a litany of his own good deeds.

The tax collector, however, takes a posture of meekness, “and would not even look up to heaven.”  His prayer is absent of any justification.  He doesn’t list his virtues or his faults, but is aware that God already knows his deeds, both good and bad.  He simply asks for mercy.

In our society, it is often easier to be like the Pharisee rather than the tax collector.  The culture often tells us that we should “trust in ourselves” and that those who don’t align with us deserve our contempt.  It is harder to admit our failings and ask forgiveness. In times when we are struggling to do just that, we can echo the tax collector’s words.  This powerful prayer, often called the Jesus Prayer, was even used by the Desert Fathers: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” 

Jesus’ last words in this parable emphasize his care for those who come to Him with humble and willing hearts.  He says, “All who exalt themselves will be humble, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”  Our journey to Heaven isn’t about what we can do on our own, but how we are willing to depend on God.  It is indeed a comfort to know that when we are weak and broken, God sees and hears us, and He beckons us to come even closer.