by Mr. Carlos D'Souza
Scripture Text: (Lk 18: 9-14) The parable of the pharisee and the publican
This parable conveys the true devotion of the pharisees. The pharisee was a law abiding Jew. He followed all the requirements of the Mosaic Law. He followed all the rites and the rituals required by the law to the smallest detail. He fasted twice a week when as per the law it was compulsory to fast only once a year. He gave tithe of all that he received, whereas the law required to give tithe only on the fruits of the earth. He was not a cheat or a rogue. He did not commit adultery. He was a just man. He had every reason to praise God because looking at the world around him, a good deal of the world was unjust, cheats, and adulterous. Many Jews failed in their observance of the law and many of them disregarded it. The pharisee was indeed a perfect & a professional religious practitioner. He would be an ideal candidate to receive a gold medal. He would have been very comfortable at a prayer meeting.
The prayer of the pharisee contained much truth, yet it was a prayer which did not find favour in the sight of God. His virtues had become a source of pride. He began to despise anybody and everybody who could not live up to the code of conduct that he himself followed.. Despite the truth in his prayer, his basic attitude was tragically wrong. For he evaluated himself in terms of how much better he was than others. This was the tragic flaw of the pharisee
The publican on the other hand had no impressive list of religious accomplishments. He was an outlaw. He would definitely feel out of place at a prayer meeting. He would be like a fish out of water. He was indulging in a sinful occupation of collecting taxes. He had failed on many counts to keep the law. He felt sinful, miserable and at a distance and prayed daring not to lift his head up murmuring under his breath "God be merciful to me a sinner. Jesus tells us that it was the tax collector who went home that day from the temple justified and not the pharisee.
The story of the pharisee and the publican can be our story . We can sometimes identify ourselves in the shoes of the pharisee. I can say, I attend prayer meetings every week, I fast once a week, I attend a cell meeting. I attend a Bible study group. I am in a ministry. I pray in tongues. Free praise just flow from my lips. I thank God that I am not like the other lukewarm or dead parishioners around me.
I can easily fall into the trap of looking down my nose on others and count myself better than the others. I don't find myself at peace even though I am involved in so much religious activity. This parable cautions us and offers us a stiff reminder, that no matter how virtuous we are, no matter how holy and righteous we are, no matter how gifted and talented we are, no matter how sinful and misguided the world around us is, the moment we despise others and look down on them we earn God's unfavourable judgement. The Pharisee passionately loved the law.
This parable also consoles us and gives us a ray of hope. No matter how far we are from God, if we come to Him in repentance He forgives us. The Publican did not love the law but deeply experienced the love of the law giver. There is hope for all.
How to grow in Humility ?
Matthew 11:29 : Learn from Jesus who is meek and humble of heart
Philippians 2:3 : In humility, count others better than yourselves
Luke 18:9 : Do not think too highly of yourself and despise others.
Micah 6:8 : Walk humbly before the Lord
Rewards:
Isaiah 66:2 : This is the man to whom I will look for. He who is humble and contrite in spirit
Psalm 51:17 : The sacrifice acceptable to the Lord is a broken spirit. A humble and contrite heart O God you will not spurn of despise. The tax collector went home justified.
Luke 1:51 & 52 : He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. He has pulled down the might from their thrones and the humble He has exalted.
Attitudes:
Psalm 34:1-2 : David- My soul shall make its boast in the Lord
Luke 1:38 : Mary - Behold, I am the hand maid of the Lord
Galatians 6:14 : St Paul- May I never boast of anything except the cross of Christ.
Philippians 2:6-11 :Jesus - though God did not count Himself equality with God
May our prayer always be Jesus meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine. Lord make me a servant humble and meek. Lord help me lift up those who are weak and may the prayer of my heart always be. Make me a servant. Make me a servant today