Sunday Gospel Comment
Alberic Jacovone OSB
YEAR C THIRTIETH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR - 24.1-.04 Sir 35,12-14.16-18; 2 Tim 4,6-8.16-18; Lk 18,9-14 The Saints’ Greatest Temptation Common
sense & ‘goodism’: Still on the subject of prayer, Luke’s Gospel presents to our
reflection, the parable of 2 men who prayed in the temple: one as an honoured
Pharisee, one as a despicable Sinner; yet Sinner is forgiven, Pharisee is
totally deceived. As in all parables, here we are meant to be dis-oriented &
then re-oriented. The story confronts us with the normal questions: why?
what’s wrong in assessing myself to be good, worthy, advanced in perfection,
observing Word of God & Holy Rule, feeling empowered with & aware of
God’s Spirit... if I am so? Certainly I should feel closer to God, than all
sinner, terrorists, criminals, addicts, who must be punished for their crimes.
So, why is here a sinner considered better than a saint? How is one different
from the other? What arrogance is hidden? Why did ‘Sinner’ please God? What
is it, to be ‘truly humble’? Today’s parable goes beyond the idea that
Jesus wants to expose people, who are ‘full of self-righteous pride &
despise everyone else’. It wants to address the two sides of our brain: the
self-assertive side & the unworthy side. There is in us a know-all &
fix-all attitude towards others. In our story, Pharisee is a saint: good,
devoted, educated - he loves the Bible, reads & teaches it prayerfully -
& keeps scrupulously all traditions. As he lives by the Bible, he is
(wrongly) convinced that the Bible goes no further than to say, that virtue is
to be pursued for its own sake. Indeed, common sense tells him that virtue has
its own reward - that God smiles on virtue and frowns on vice, that a virtuous
life can expect to be rewarded. Trouble is, that such a common sense view about
‘good life for good people’ (a view that is espoused by many today!), does
not need the Cross & Grace of Christ. It confuses being good with being
Christian, and even Jesus is nothing more than a good Christian (=person). The
hard truth is that we - no matter how advanced, trained, qualified, purified,
perfected, we think we are - we are still sinners to the core - in need of
God’s infinite mercy - totally undeserving - & still are, freely forgiven
by God. Saints
& sinners are humble: miracles & powers are never ours, nor is personal virtue. It is
fallacy to presume (or worse still, to act) otherwise. Here is the true meaning
of hypocrisy: to know who you are & wear the mask of being someone else.
Saintly & authentic people never hide & pretend. They tell, in all
humility & humanity (two words that refer to our earthiness &
‘humus’ condition) what makes them tick: tell the truth - believe in it -
are convinced by it - say what they mean & act accordingly. In so doing they
are transparent in their faults, frailty & failings. What you see is what
you get. Yes, they are humble in their achievements - approachable &
comfortable with everyone, feeling at home with all who are ‘made of dust’. Today, Luke invites
us to compare & confront ‘the saintly & the sinner’ of the parable.
The ‘saintly’ stands upfront with hands held high - in recollected composure
- observing the rules of reverence - exemplary to the core - generous in giving
to charities - meticulous to all times of prayer.. what else do you want? He
prays to himself: I’ve done it all - done it my way. I have a right to express
who I am and to defend my achievements from despicable traitors & no hopers,
as this sinner. ‘Sinner’ on the other hand is full of regret, stands afar,
beats his breast, asks forgiveness & receives it. Lesson: In the split of our two-sided brain, we need to come to
terms with our arrogant, compulsive, conflicting achieving self: and to acquire
the capacity & grace to turn humbly, humanly & authentically to God, who
loves us as we are & is merciful. ______________________________________ |
