Reflection for March 26, Saturday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 18:9-14

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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Is humility part and parcel of your way of life? 

Aside from Jesus there are two main characters in this Gospel: the Pharisee: he is an educated believer, he seriously observes and teaches God’s law and the Tax collector: he is known to be greedy, corrupt and sinful. They both went to the temple to pray.  

The Pharisee was self-righteous he claims that he is not greedy, unjust, adulterous. He is so sure of his goodness, holiness and maybe of his own salvation he even despised the tax collector.  

There is also this repentant sinner (tax collector) who did not dare to raise his eyes to heaven. He was remorsefully beating his breast and he keeps on asking God for forgiveness.  

Jesus said: “the tax collector went home at peace with God.” and the Pharisee? He did not gain any favor from God because he was self-righteous and proud.  

This Gospel is a good reminder for us all who are self-righteous, who are proud and who are egotist. This is also for those who look down on their fellowmen for the simple reason that they are rich and learned. – Marino J. Dasmarinas