October 23, 2022: Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18-9-14 The Paradox of Prayer: God Raises When We LowerA reflection by David Jackson The theme of prayer continues in today’s gospel. Last Sunday we heard the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, which encourages us to persevere as the widow did in naming and opposing injustice. Her prayer is offered in the form of a relentless pursuit of right relationship. Today we hear the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, which offers us an attitude of prayer, but also much more. Luke often shows God as the Divine Reverser: upending the expectations of the audience. This passage is no exception. First, the Pharisee is up front and proudly praying – as one would expect. So, too, the tax collector is almost embarrassed to be in this place of worship – again, as anticipated. But the result of their prayer is exactly the opposite of what Jesus’ listeners would have predicted. Note the Pharisee’s posture and attitude are all about superiority: standing apart from the crowd. Jesus briefly describes his posture but goes into great length regarding his prayer. It is a series of “I” statements, a catalogue of his own virtues and favorable comparison to others. Prayer in Jewish piety at this time involved primarily the offering of thanks/praise to God for all the gifts one received, and petitions for the satisfaction of one’s needs. This Pharisee does neither. He does not thank God for gifts received but rather boasts of what he has achieved. He has no requests, but offers only self-advertisement. He stands aloof lest he be defiled by the unrighteous; offers scathing criticism of the nearby tax collector, and brags of having not only kept the law but exceeded its demands. In contrast, Jesus tells us relatively little about the tax collector’s prayer but goes into more detail regarding his posture. He does not stand aloof but "afar off," because he feels unworthy to stand with God's people. His gestures are themselves prayer, eyes not lifted, beats his breast, in symbolic acts of humility and repentance. There is no catalogue of past deeds – neither accomplishments nor sins – no comparisons to others, just a trust in Divine mercy, in God alone. In these contrasting images, Jesus sets forth for us a pattern of prayer. In this pattern, there is no room for self-congratulation, boasting, or criticism of others. Instead, humble confession of our need offered in hope so that through our vulnerable admission these needs might be met. Prayer is no place for pride, instead humility is required. Self-righteousness distorts our vision. The Pharisee looks upon the tax collector’s profound demonstration of remorse, but all he sees is someone to be avoided. Paradoxically, Jesus indicates that this attitude is precisely was draws God close. Jesus’ parable of the widow and the unjust judge as well as today’s story of the Pharisee and the tax collector fit Luke’s theme of Divine reversal. The widow is expected to be weak and powerless but is assertive and courageous. The tax collector who represents a class who were aggressive and often even brutal, is submissive and deferential. In closing, some see a tension in the Christian life between prayer and action. But note how Luke counters such facile polarization throughout the gospel: juxtaposing the Samaritan who shows mercy in a concrete deed with Mary who listens to the word and accepts its demands. In today’s passage, Luke places together a widow who raises her voice in protest against injustice with a tax collector who quietly asks for God's mercy. For Luke, listening to the word of God, prayer for forgiveness, and concern for alleviating suffering and injustice are wedded inseparably, and no human being should put them asunder. |
