By Fr. Andrew Kelly
THIRTIETH SUNDAY ORDINAL TIME – OCTOBER 27, 2013
In Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 18:9-14) Jesus declares the following is not a prayer: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.”
The reason is that the Pharisee’s words are all about what the Pharisee is doing and never acknowledges God’s transforming grace-filled presence in the Pharisee’s life.
Whereas Jesus declares the following to be prayer: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
The tax collector knows that God’s grace-filled presence alone transforms sinners into human beings whose every word and deed now begin to radiate God’s holy presence.
The Lord has gathered the community for Jesus’ word, body and blood.
Does the community prayer celebrate and sound like the Pharisee? “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.”
Or does the community prayer simply begin by acknowledging helplessness so as to celebrate truly what God is doing in the life of the community? “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)
Scripture Readings for Oct. 27 to Nov. 3
Sunday
Sir 35:12-14, 16-18
2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18
Lk 18:9-14
Monday
Rom 4:20-25
Lk 12:13-21
Tuesday
Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21
Lk 12:35-38
Wednesday
Rom 6:12-18
Lk 12:39-48
Thursday
Rom 6:19-23
Lk 12:49-53
Friday
Rom 7:18-25a
Lk 12:54-59
Saturday
Rom 8:1-11
Lk 13:1-9
Sunday
Sir 35:12-14, 16-18
2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18
Lk 18:9-14
