Luke begins today’s Gospel by giving away the story, the Pharisee is described as self-righteous and despising others, even before he appears. Does this editorial comment provide too much information? What if the Pharisee is sincere and believes all he says? After all, he begins by thanking God and saying that he avoids sin and does good by fasting and tithing. Isn’t that what we aspire to? Isn’t it all those other people who are greedy, dishonest and adulterous?
Almost certainly, the Pharisee sins less than the tax collector, and leads what he truly believes is a holy life, which should merit him a reward. Was it the editorial comment or something more subtle that caused Jesus to choose the tax collector as the role model? The tax collector sins more, but he believes that he can be forgiven. He understands something that the Pharisee misses, that salvation is a free gift from God, not a reward. The Pharisee’s sin is not his arrogance, but his self reliant attitude regarding justification.
The roles here could be entirely reversed; the tax collector is, after all, a man of importance in the community, at least to the government. Why is he more justified? Perhaps the first reading can help. We learn that God does not discriminate or play favorites, although He hears the cry of the oppressed and weak, the widows and orphans. This seems to be inconsistent, but perhaps these people understand, as did the tax collector, that sins can be forgiven, and that salvation is a free gift. The writer of Godspell, the musical from long ago, succinctly rewrote these readings: “What gift have we to offer, for all Thy love imparts, but that which Thou desirest, our humble, thankful hearts.”
Joan Mooney is a member of St. John’s
Further readings: The Return of the Prodigal Son, by Henri Nouwen
Psalm 51
See: Godspell
Question of the Week:
Do I minister like the Pharisee, for the pat on the back, the affirmation, the recognition?
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