Readings for Sunday October 24, 2010

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Summary of the Gospel from YM Central

Ever think that you have all the right answers and that you’ve got things down pat? Better think again. In this passage from St. Luke, Jesus addresses the sin of self-righteousness that is, thinking that we can, on our own power, be right before God. To illustrate this, Jesus pits a Pharisee, a religious leader of His day, against a tax collector, a person hated by many because he constantly took and stole money from the people. To the listener of Jesus’ time, there would be no question that the Pharisee was more respected than the tax collector. The idea that Jesus would be criticizing a Pharisee shows that He was not bound by the cultural standards of the day. We see that the Pharisee singled himself out as being holier than anyone else because of what he did. He didn’t maintain that his holiness was from God, but was rather a result of his disciplined practices. The tax collector realized the enormity of his sin, and knew that God would really have to love him if he could be loved at all. The tax collector shows us the most basic attitude toward God: Lord, have mercy on me! Mercy is at the center of God’s heart and is the deepest expression of God’s love. Mercy is love shown to us even when we don’t deserve it. We are God’s creatures, and on our own, we don’t deserve God’ love. Yet God loves us so much that He would literally die for us, even though we have been unfaithful to Him. Understanding and experiencing God’s mercy is the first step of the spiritual life, even more important than any religious practices we have. Many people today live their life thinking that their religious practice will save them. Religious practices, including going to Mass and saying our prayers, is essential, but we have to approach them with faith in Christ. Many parishes today struggle because people attend Mass just because they’ve always been Catholic, and they would feel guilty if they didn’t attend Mass on Sunday. Jesus wants us to attend Mass because we love Him and want to be with Him, not so we can punch-in our spiritual time clock. We are challenged with this Gospel to take our eyes off ourselves and focus solely on God’s great love for us. This Gospel reminds us that God’s love is stronger than anything we can ever experience, and if we place our trust in Him, and humble ourselves before Him, He will bless us greatly. May we have the grace to want God’s love more than anything else in our lives.

Reading 1 Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint. The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.

Reading 2 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Beloved: I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance. At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. "Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity -- greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.' I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Discussion Questions:

1. Jesus addressed this parable ‘to those who were convinced of their own righteousness’. How do you think they reacted once Jesus was finished?


2. What can you do in your life to keep your pride in check? How can you better humble yourself before God on a daily basis?


3. Share a time in your life when humbling yourself brought you a great blessing.