THE PRAYER OF THE HUMBLE PIERCES THE CLOUDS

XXX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Luke 18:9-14

The parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee is very simple and straightforward. Two people presented themselves in the temple, one characterised by his profession and the other by his religious affiliation. 

In spite of holding an important job, which should bring him respect, the tax collector was despised on several accounts. Suspected of embezzling state money and of overcharging people, they were seen as thieves. And they were hated and despised as collaborators of the colonial power, which oppressed the people. Thus the tax collectors were considered big sinners and any decent person should stay far away from them. Seen as beyond redemption, how could a tax collector dare to enter the temple and address God in prayer?

The Pharisee was a strict follower of the Law, who tried to excel in everything he did. He tried to be faithful, staying away from anything that might make him impure. People like him were nicknamed Pharisees, that is the “separated ones” because they avoided all contact with anybody considered a sinner. Religiously speaking, the Pharisee belonged to a group of people who considered themselves to be the best.

In the parable, Jesus presents in contrast two completely different kinds of people, one standing for the best and the other for the worst. Both of them went into the Temple to pray and, in the prayer, they revealed their true selves. The Pharisee turned out to be a man full of himself, proud and arrogant, who despised everybody else. Instead of giving thanks to God, he turned his prayer into self-praise, at the same time, passing judgement on the others. On the other side, the tax collector makes a very simple and sincere prayer. Before God, he recognises his sin and asks for forgiveness. In his prayer, there is not an attempt at pretending. Ashamed of himself, he does not go to the forefront, but stays at a distance and humbles himself before God. Jesus tells us that God accepted his prayer and he went home justified.

With the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee, Jesus returns to the theme of the parable of the prodigal son: the Pharisee is like the elder son, a man full of pride and self-righteousness, who thinks that he has rights over God, and the tax collector is like the younger son, who misbehaved, but acknowledged his sin and returned to ask for forgiveness. In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus presents two ways of being and living; in today’s parable, Jesus contrasts two ways of approaching God in prayer: with humility, acknowledging our weaknesses and our sin, or with pride, demanding to be awarded the prize we think we are entitled to. However, as we find in the book of Sirach, only "the prayer of the humble pierces the clouds, and it will not rest until it reaches its goal;” (Sirach 35:21).

PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS AND INSIST ON IT

XXIX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

Traditionally, this Sunday is the WORLD MISSION DAY, which is the high point of the October month, dedicated by Pope Francis to reflect on God’s call to announce the Good News of salvation. in which we are called to reflect upon Christ’s call to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. The Pope called for this special month to commemorate the centenary of the Apostolic Letter “Maximum Illud” of Pope Benedict XV (30 November 1919). In his message to this special month, Pope Francis reminds us that we are “Baptised and Sent”.

“Celebrating this month will help us first to rediscover the missionary dimension of our faith in Jesus Christ, a faith graciously bestowed on us in baptism. Our filial relationship with God is not something simply private, but always in relation to the Church. Through our communion with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we, together with so many of our other brothers and sisters, are born to new life. This divine life is not a product for sale – we do not practise proselytism – but a treasure to be given, communicated and proclaimed: that is the meaning of mission. We received this gift freely and we share it freely (cf. Mt 10:8), without excluding anyone. God wills that all people be saved by coming to know the truth and experiencing his mercy through the ministry of the Church, the universal sacrament of salvation (cf. 1 Tim 2:4; Lumen Gentium, 48).” (Pope Francis)

In the second letter to Timothy, Paul reminds him of his duty to proclaim the Gospel: “Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I put this duty to you, in the name of his Appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it.” And this is not only for Timothy or for anybody who is in a leadership position. Paul’s words apply to all who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. All those who have made the experience of God’s love and who have been called to salvation must speak out and proclaim this Good News: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:16). Once we experience God’s love, we cannot hide it and we cannot keep quiet. God’s love must show up in the way we live and in the way we speak. We are called to lead others to Christ so that in him they also experience the love of God. 

Pope Francis reminds us that if we are baptised, we are sent as well. We are sent to give witness to Jesus Christ. Being disciples of Jesus Christ, we adopt his way of life and we allow ourselves to be guided by his word. And we are called to announce Christ’s message of salvation, that is to proclaim the Gospel.

We should ask ourselves: Do we give witness to Jesus Christ? What kind of witnesses are we? Have we helped others to meet Jesus Christ and to know his message of salvation? 

Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, to strengthen God’s love in us and to make us faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ.

YOUR FAITH HAS SAVED YOU

XXVIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Lk 17:11-19

The healing of Naaman, a foreigner (2 Kings 5:14-17), is already a sign of openness to all and an announcement of the universality of salvation. God's mercy and compassion are not offered exclusively to a group or a people, but God listens to the complaints of all those who come to Him. Those who are considered foreigners and enemies belong to the people of God as well and God cares for them as he cares for us. Naaman became wholesome by his bathing in the Jordan River, making of this bath a symbol and a prophecy of the baptism that cleanses us and makes us whole, recreating us as children of God.

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In his letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:8-13), Paul reaffirms the importance of faith in the resurrection: "Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, was raised from the dead." This is the Gospel that Paul proclaims, and it is for this Gospel that he is in prison. However, the Good News cannot be put in chains, since the word of God is a liberating word. And Paul stresses that we should undergo the experience of dying with Christ's so that we may rise with him. And he quotes a maxim that was already part of catechesis: “If we have died with him, then we shall live with him. If we hold firm, then we shall reign with him.”

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Leprosy was a terrifying disease that disfigured people, made them look disgusting, and was considered a curse. The lepers were like walking dead from whom everyone fled. Abandoned and ostracised, alone with their pain in a rotting body. However, Jesus let them come to him, and heard their cry for deliverance: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." And Jesus gave them back the joy of living, healing them from their illness, abandonment, and exclusion. They who were already dead returned to life, a life lived within their family and community. In this passage of the Gospel, the lepers came as a group, as if they represented the sick, defiled and forsaken people, unable to break free from the oppression that demeans, crushes, and destroys them. And Jesus, full of mercy and compassion, is the one who brings salvation to them, restoring their dignity. But something very strange happened: Out of ten, only one recognised the gift of God and returned to thank Jesus for his healing, and that one was a - a Samaritan. He alone allowed himself to be touched by God's merciful hand; only his heart vibrated with emotion as he felt the breath of God’s grace; only he was one alert to recognise God's loving presence. Therefore, he “turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him”. He was the only ready to accept God’s salvation.

LORD, INCREASE OUR FAITH

XXVII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Lk 17:5-10

A prophet is always a voice that speaks for God so that we are addressed by Him, as he calls and challenges us. However, many times, the prophet also gives voice to our moaning, as we turn to God complaining of the suffering and the pain we go through. There are times when we feel abandoned and thrown into a ditch as if we were discardable. It is as if God does not care or as if he does not exist. Habakkuk went through such an experience and he complained to God saying: 

“How long, O Lord, am I to cry for help

while you will not listen;

to cry ‘Oppression!’ in your ear

and you will not save?” - Habakkuk 1:2

It sounds as if God is on the side of the exploiters and the evildoers because life is easy on them. In spite of this, the prophet is bold enough to complain before God, being confident that God will listen to him. And Habakkuk received a reassuring answer. God has not forgotten his people and he will fulfil his promise. It may seem to be slow coming, but if it will come, “without fail”. While waiting, we must remain faithful, being certain that “the upright man will live by his faithfulness”.

In his Second Letter to Timothy, Paul draws attention to essential attitudes in any Christian, but especially in those in positions of leadership: a) “Rekindle the gift of God” received for the service of the community; b) do not be intimidated, but on the contrary show strength and courage that must be measured by love and moderation; c) bear witness to Jesus Christ, never being ashamed of him and those who suffer for him; d) be willing to suffer for the Gospel; e) trust in the power of God; f) be guided by the words of those who teach us according to faith and love that are in Jesus Christ.

The request of the Apostles must become our daily prayer: Lord, "increase our faith." We easily realise that our faith is weak because we are fragile and fickle and we know that it is impossible to grow in faith by our efforts alone; Faith is a gift from God, and we ask it from Him: "Increase our faith." According to Jesus, by faith, the impossible becomes possible, because through faith we share in God’s power. If we are daily faced confronted with our powerlessness, it is because we allowed our faith to die and do not rely on God to revive it. Let us pray: 

Lord, increase our faith.