Thirtieth Sunday of the year, October 23, 2022
Sirach 35:12-14; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14
Narada went and found a farmer who rose early in the morning, pronounced the name of God only once, then lifted his plough and went out to his fields, where he worked the whole day. Just before he fell asleep at night, he pronounced the name of God once again. Narada thought, “How can this farmer be a devotee of God? He pronounced God’s name only twice in the day, and then got himself immersed in his worldly occupation.” When Narada voiced his opinion to God, then the Lord said to him, “Fill a bowl to the brim with milk and walk all round the city. Then come back without spilling a single drop.” Narada did as he was told, and returned. Then the Lord asked him, “How many times did you remember me in the course of your walk around the city?” Not once,” replied Narada. “How could I when you commanded me to watch that bowl of milk?” The Lord said, “That bowl so absorbed your attention that you forgot me altogether. But look at that farmer who, though burdened with the cares of supporting a family, remembers me twice a day.”
Jesus in today’s gospel caricatures the two extremes of the religious society of his day, two attitudes before God. In which do I see myself, the Pharisee or the publican? First, the Pharisee, with his ‘magnificent’ prayer of thanks, asks nothing for himself, and we should judge him as no hypocrite: what he says, he does, and perfectly. The trouble is, he knows it too well: he listens to himself praying, he is preoccupied with himself. Above all, he judges others. As far as he is concerned about God, he sees him chiefly as the one who will recognise his merits.
The first reading from Sirach describes God as partial to the weak, listening to the cry of the oppressed, especially the powerless orphans and widows. God always listens to the poor and has a favourable sentence on the one who does not boast of their merits and has only poverty and mercy to rely on.
In today's Gospel, we have the strange example of a Pharisee and a tax collector in the context of prayer. The Pharisee and we clearly have evidence to prove he is the "good" person. He carefully kept the Law of the Jews and the Commandments of God. He faithfully observed the obligations of a good Jew: he prayed, he fasted, and he gave alms. In fact, he was very generous in his attitude towards God. He fasted twice a week, while a religious Jew had to fast just once a year. The law commanded tithes of farm produce profits, but the Pharisees tithed on everything they possessed. His righteousness considerably exceeded the standards prescribed by the Mosaic Law. And yet, God was not happy with him because he was a totally self-centred person. He thanked God with the words expressing that he was not like others, especially the terrible tax collector who had come to the Temple to pray. He was telling God how fortunate God is having secured such a pious generous person like the Pharisee.
Let us now draw out some ways to live this truth in our everyday lives:
1. Daily Prayer with Humility
Often our prayer becomes a performance: we repeat the words, we list our good works, and we may even compare ourselves to others. The Gospel invites a different posture: a quiet, humble confession of need: “Lord, I need you.” One practical step: at the start of your daily prayer time, pause and say simply: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Let go of the need to impress. Let the prayer come from the heart.
2. Re-evaluate how you measure worth
In the classroom, in the school, and at home, we all face comparison. “I did better than X,” “I taught better than Y,” “I earned more than Z.” But the Gospel challenges us: worth before God is not achieved by our boasting but by our inner posture. Practically, when you receive compliments or achieve success, thank God first. When you fail or feel overlooked, remember God’s favour rests on the humble, not the self-promoting.
3. Serve the vulnerable with justice and compassion
The first reading calls us to care for the alien, the widow, the orphan; to lend without exploitation; to treat the neighbour with dignity. Reach out quietly, encourage privately, treat them as valued. In your community, support someone in need, not for thanks or admiration, but because God sees them.
4. Turn inward to examine the heart
The Pharisee did many good things outwardly. But his heart was closed. Every so often, take time for a “heart check”: Are there hidden attitudes of superiority? Do I compare myself to others and feel better or worse? Do I rely on my reputation, or on God’s mercy? Write quietly in a journal: “Lord, show me where I need to humble myself before you and before my neighbour.”
5. Trust in God during trials
In our lives too, when we feel abandoned, criticised, or weak, the psalm reminds us: God is near to the broken-hearted. So: when you face hardship (in teaching, in family, in life) – instead of turning to self-justification (“I did everything right”), turn to God’s mercy (“Lord, I need you”), and rest in his presence.
6. Cultivate gratitude, not comparison
Comparison breeds either pride or envy. Instead, cultivate gratitude for what God has done. The psalm begins: “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth.”
Each evening, name three things you are thankful for, not what you achieved, but what you received from God or how God used you. These shifts focus from self-performance to grace-reception.
Today's readings remind us that God hears the prayer of the humble, that mercy triumphs over self‐righteousness, and that a genuine relationship with God is not built on boasting but on truth and dependence.
As we leave this time of reflection, let us ask: “How will I walk the rest of this week differently because of this Gospel?” Perhaps it means silencing our proud inner voice, choosing instead to acknowledge our need for God. Perhaps it means noticing someone on the margins and acting with compassion. Perhaps it means teaching or leading with humility, not for recognition, but for service.
Happy Sunday
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