Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C 23rd October 2022
Lectionary Readings:
Jeremiah 14 v7-10, 19-22; Psalm 84 v1-7; 2 Timothy 4 v6-8, 16-18; Luke 18 v9-14.
Better?
‘Jesus told a story to some people who thought they were better than others and who looked down on everyone else.’ (Luke 18 v9)
The story continues with a comparison between a ‘Pharisee’ and a ‘tax collector’. Two ‘stereotypes’ of people, well known to the people listening to Jesus.
‘The Pharisees’ were devout Jews who believed that God would be pleased with those who strictly followed the ‘Law of Moses’ and the interpretation of the ‘Law’ by learned Rabbis handed down the generations since the time of Moses. The New Testament records that Jesus argued that such teachings led to a religion that was at odds with the spirit of the ‘Law of Moses’. The strict lifestyle required by the Pharisees was impossible for ordinary Jews to live by. The Pharisees considered themselves to be superior to the majority of Jews.
A ‘tax collector’ was seen as someone who collaborated with the Roman authorities and the Temple leaders whose job it was to collect money and/or goods as the nation’s contribution to the Roman Empire. Some tax collectors were crooked and demanded more than was necessary, thereby lining their own pockets. These crooks gave all tax collectors a bad reputation. Many tax collectors found themselves shunned by ordinary people, outcasts in society.
The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good enough even to look up towards heaven. He was so sorry for what he had done that he pounded his chest and prayed. “God have pity on me! I am such a sinner.” Then Jesus said, “When the two men went home, it was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who was pleasing to God. If you put yourself above others you will be put down. But if you humble yourself you will be honoured.” (Luke 18 v13,14).
Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is open to all, regardless of their ‘status’ within society, people who recognise their own faults and failings, and are willing to turn to God for help.
Hymn writer Bryn Rees explains his understanding of God’s kingdom in these verses,
(Singing the Faith No255).
The kingdom of God is justice and joy, for Jesus restores what sin would destroy;
God’s power and glory in Jesus we know, and here and hereafter the kingdom shall grow.
The kingdom of God is mercy and grace, the prisoners are freed, the sinners find place,
the outcast are welcomed, God’s banquet to share, and hope is awakened in place of despair.
The kingdom of God is challenge and choice, believe the good news, repent and rejoice!
His love for us sinners brought Christ to his cross, our crisis of judgement for gain or for loss.
God’s kingdom is come, the gift and the goal, in Jesus begun, in heaven made whole;
the heirs to the kingdom shall answer his call, and all things cry glory to God all in all!
Bible quotations are taken from the Contemporary English version.