Breaking the Word

30^th Ordinary Sunday – 23^rd October 2022 — Gospel: Lk 18,9-14

Dependence Justifies

The parable of the Pharisee and tax collector is exclusive to Luke and is addressed to those who “trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt.” Jesus points out that God’s view reverses both verdicts. Jesus does not say that the publican is good and the Pharisee is bad and a liar. He does not say that one is fundamentally virtuous while the other is a sinner who managed to hide his sin. Jesus only says that the one who came to God’s house in his own eyes as a sinner went home with God’s favour (justified); the one so sure of his virtue went home without it.

In another sense, the parable describes any self-righteous person. There is a great difference between being righteous and being self-righteous. The righteous person knows that s/he is dependent on God and does nothing without God’s help. The self-righteous person, on the other hand, is so filled with self-importance and pride that s/he cannot see beyond his/her own nose. These self-righteous assume that God is dependent on them.

The parable summons us to a prayer of love and trust in God’s mercy. It frees us from the need to tell God who is a sinner and who is not. It summons us to realize that, even when we are righteous, it is because of God’s grace that we can be so. Only those who can acknowledge their own weaknesses feel the need to turn to God in prayer with sentiments of humility.

29^th Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 22^nd October 2022 — Gospel: Lk 13,1-9

Responding To Tragical Ends

In continuing the theme of “how to interpret the present time”, Jesus uses two recent tragedies to emphasize the need for repentance. Regarding some Galileans whom Pilate killed and about those persons who were crushed under the tower in Siloah, Jesus tells the crowds that their death was not caused by their sins. Rather Jesus uses these incidents as a wake-up call, an opportunity to have the right relationship with God. He warns them about the fragile nature of life and the tragic end that faces everyone who fails to repent. The timing and the circumstances of death are not so important when compared to the woes that befall those who fail to respond to God’s saving work. Jesus also makes it clear through these historical events that what is required on the part of the human person is not the focus on sin and its consequences but on one’s repentance. Therefore, he continually urges about the need for urgent change of one’s lifestyle, reforming one’s thinking and behaviour, and orienting oneself to God.