Jesus tells a parable about two men praying at the temple in this week’s gospel. One is a Pharisee, part of a religious sub-group who are very invested in following the rules of the religious law. The other is a tax collector, who collaborates with the oppressive Roman authorities in gathering taxes that support Roman domination – he increases his own wealth by adding to the taxes he collects from the people.
They both went to pray at the temple where they pray very different prayers. The Pharisee is heard thanking God that he is “not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” He goes on to point out to God that he is an overachiever in following the religious law in fasting and giving. The tax collector, in contrast, takes a stance of humility and sorrow, and prays, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” The Pharisee’s bragging prayer is clearly about himself and seems to point out how little he thinks he needs God while the tax collector begs God for mercy in full awareness of his failings. Jesus goes on to say that it was the tax collector who left the temple with a mended (or right) relationship with God rather than the Pharisee.
I am sad to admit it, but we humans are clearly prone to notice opportunities to judge others, especially in contexts where we can find them lacking and think ourselves superior. Yet Jesus’ closing comments make it clear that our prideful expectations may well be overturned by God’s way of looking at humans.
My recommendation to the Pharisee and the parts of me that share his impulse for judgement of others and self-pride is to stop looking around to judge others and instead notice where I am falling short of who I am called to be. While there is nothing wrong with feeling good when we are living out my priorities and making good choices, when that satisfaction leads us to think we are better than people who face their own struggles, we have moved to thinking we are superior to our neighbor. This is an all-too-human impulse, but it does not reflect what God wants for humanity and we are all called to something very different.
In response to God’s unending love and remarkable forgiveness, we are called to look at each other with the same love and compassion. We are called not to judge each other or presume we are better than people around us who are struggling or failing in various ways. We are called to remember that God’s love and forgiveness is for all people. We are called to remember that every person we encounter is God’s beloved child whom God treasures beyond reason, just like God treasures you and me. Though we all struggle, God is faithful and constant. We are called to build a community of love and compassion where we help each other follow Jesus. We are called to encourage each other and remind everyone that God’s love is not negotiable; God’s love and healing are for all.
Peace,
Alicia
weekly prayer | Jesus parable about two men praying in Luke 18