30th Sunday 2016

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14

Luke plays on the theme of who is righteous, unrighteous and self-righteous; but all of these readings dive into justice.

The first reading from Sirach reminds us that God doesn’t play favorites; He is compassionate and merciful, responses to the prayers of the lonely and metes out justice in time. At the time of Sirach’s writing, the Jewish people are under foreign domination, so he is concerned with justice. He suggests we petition the Lord for justice, expounds on His characteristics, and suggests the appropriate attitude of the prayer. God will respond, and the prayer shall be humble. Later the New Testament will refer to Jesus as the Judge of End Time.

In the portion of Paul’s letter in front of us, he has just endured a Roman trial, as had Jesus. Both were abandoned because of the risk of death posed to followers. Paul shares with us his vision of death. Barclay suggests that death, as Paul explains it here is the laying down of a burden, the breaking shackles to be free, the striking of camp to take up residence in heavenly places and setting sail on a voyage to God (1). It is striking imagery, but Paul’s life has not earned him such a merciful end; he always points out in his letters his faith justifies him. Because of the Lord’s Passion such a death justifies life.

The Pharisee does not need God’s gift of justification for he justifies himself (2). “The Pharisee did not really go to pray, he went to inform God of how good he was (3).” He expresses gratitude, which is good, but only for who he is not. Jesus says of the Pharisee and tax collector, “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.” This is an echo of the first reading- humility in prayer is essential. His faith in the Lord’s mercy has saved him.

The gospel ties it together for us. Sirach explains humble prayer brings justice; Paul teaches that faith justifies. Jesus preaches, we will be justified by the Lord when we pray with humility. But He makes it clear as the appropriate content of the sort of prayer and faith that justifies us; prayer and petitions for mercy. In this Year of Mercy, which is coming to a close, we have intentionally become students of mercy, in this new liturgical year we can put it into action.

Journal Questions:

What are your petitions to God in prayer? Do you pray for justice or mercy?
Do you recite the Jesus prayer? (Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.) If so, how does it effect you? If not, consider using it consistently for a week or more, and then reflect on the experience.
Do you consider yourself an instrument of justice and/or mercy for others? What might you do to augment this effort?

References:
1- The Letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon, Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible Series, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 1975.
2- The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990.
3- Gospel of Luke, Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible Series, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 2001.

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